I recently watched a few videos our ministry team put together with a youth group years ago. One of the films has a song by Sanctus Real which repeats the chorus: "I'm not alright, I'm broken inside, broken inside. And all I go through leads me to you, leads me to you." These may seem rather depressing lyrics but actually the message is uplifting and true. We are all broken inside and out in a broken world, yet for a child of God the trials and difficulties of life lead us to seek the LORD who is our refuge and help.
It isn't until we are convinced there is something wrong we will investigate to fix the issue. A decrease of power in an engine that blows smoke, poor performance of an appliance, or symptoms of illness prompt us to take action. We live in a world permeated with themes of self-empowerment that are a complete lie, and swallowing them leads to disillusionment and despair. Only the ones who realise they are indeed broken beyond repair and are introduced to the hope, strength, and redemption through Jesus Christ can avail themselves of the healing and restoration found through Him. Through a pesky messenger of Satan that buffeted him Paul realised when he was weak he was strong because through faith discovered God's power beyond himself.
I have no desire to be controversial nor intend to make a political statement: whether we tout our "willpower," "manpower," "Girl Power," "Black Power," or any other power it has a limit, therefore has an end, and will end in futility. The power of mankind cannot compare to the power of God which is infinite and eternal. Historically mankind has used power to abuse and oppress others but God's power is to save rather than destroy. Jesus came to set captives free from the prison of sin, bondage to Satan, and the shackles of self. He laid down His own life on Calvary to provide the means for sinners to become saints, for spiritual inner transformation which will become evident to all. Admitting our need for forgiveness and salvation is the necessary step to receiving it.
The song "I'm Not Alright" continues this modern day psalm directed to the almighty God: "Burn away the pride, bring me to my weakness until everything I hide behind is gone. And when I'm open wide with nothing left to cling to only you are there to lead me on 'cause honestly, I'm not that strong." No matter your physical and mental strength it can be exhausted, and what a joy it is to realise brokenness leads desperate people to the LORD every day. If we could we would be foolish enough to create a world that resembles our conceptions of heaven, it would be a place where there is no sickness, sadness, or sorrow, a place where miracles are unnecessary, a utopia where restoration or redemption is impossible, a place without need of God. How good God is to prompt us to seek Him out and choose His love, to redeem our brokenness for healing and our weakness for strength.
It isn't until we are convinced there is something wrong we will investigate to fix the issue. A decrease of power in an engine that blows smoke, poor performance of an appliance, or symptoms of illness prompt us to take action. We live in a world permeated with themes of self-empowerment that are a complete lie, and swallowing them leads to disillusionment and despair. Only the ones who realise they are indeed broken beyond repair and are introduced to the hope, strength, and redemption through Jesus Christ can avail themselves of the healing and restoration found through Him. Through a pesky messenger of Satan that buffeted him Paul realised when he was weak he was strong because through faith discovered God's power beyond himself.
I have no desire to be controversial nor intend to make a political statement: whether we tout our "willpower," "manpower," "Girl Power," "Black Power," or any other power it has a limit, therefore has an end, and will end in futility. The power of mankind cannot compare to the power of God which is infinite and eternal. Historically mankind has used power to abuse and oppress others but God's power is to save rather than destroy. Jesus came to set captives free from the prison of sin, bondage to Satan, and the shackles of self. He laid down His own life on Calvary to provide the means for sinners to become saints, for spiritual inner transformation which will become evident to all. Admitting our need for forgiveness and salvation is the necessary step to receiving it.
The song "I'm Not Alright" continues this modern day psalm directed to the almighty God: "Burn away the pride, bring me to my weakness until everything I hide behind is gone. And when I'm open wide with nothing left to cling to only you are there to lead me on 'cause honestly, I'm not that strong." No matter your physical and mental strength it can be exhausted, and what a joy it is to realise brokenness leads desperate people to the LORD every day. If we could we would be foolish enough to create a world that resembles our conceptions of heaven, it would be a place where there is no sickness, sadness, or sorrow, a place where miracles are unnecessary, a utopia where restoration or redemption is impossible, a place without need of God. How good God is to prompt us to seek Him out and choose His love, to redeem our brokenness for healing and our weakness for strength.
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