Blessed and broken.

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12

Once an individual said to me, “This life is just the interview for the job.” And that statement has stuck with me ever since. This life is … the… test, interview, and challenge to see what we will choose. Do we choose death to our life and embrace His? Since my healing in 1974 I always thought that I should be in ‘full time’ ministry, which in my mind meant a ‘career’ / full time paid position in some ministry (basically being a professional ‘Pastor’), because that’s what those who felt drawn greatly to God did. So, I was really surprised when God told me NOT to go to seminary, in fact He blocked my way to that path. Finally, years later God relented and allowed me into an administrative role in several parachurch ministries. I still remember what the Holy Spirit told me at the beginning of that season of life, “I only trust dead men.” Ooooof! I wondered what He meant, but deep inside I knew. When God gives you a little of what YOU want … beware. That season of life basically ruined me in the view of the institutional religious “professional” ministry. During that season of years, I became very jaded at the ‘business’ of ministry and ‘Church’, the corruption was SO ugly (Matthew 21:13). And of course, I eventually accepted the fact that EVERY true follower Christ IS in fulltime ministry everyday of their lives IF they have become totally terminally committed to Christ.

Are you seeking His blessing? If you are …be ready for the breaking. Jesus blessed the bread and then broke it (Luke 24:30). How many of us have blindly quoted John 3:30, (“He must increase, but I must decrease.”) not knowing what we are really asking or praying? If we are to really decrease, we MUST be broken further. How do we become …less? Is there another way that doesn’t hurt or require sacrifice? To ask for His blessing means to be broken for His purposes so that others might be able to partake of Him. When others see us… they won’t see our great success …but His …grace and love. What are you hoping others we’ll see when they see your life? Your great success, talent, or skills … or Jesus?

And He took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” Luke 22:19 Now …who exactly is His Body? Who claims to be His Body? Be wary of those ‘preachers’ constantly saying God wants you to increase or to be rich. Who inherits the Kingdom of heaven? (Matthew 5:3)

Do you really want more of Jesus? Do you really want more of His Presence? Be honest with yourself? Are you willing to be broken further?