Post by Richard on May 19, 2007 8:40:33 GMT -5
Broken Spirit, by Alan Smith
I have heard that there is a monastery in Greece perched high on a
cliff, several hundred feet in the air. The only way to reach the
monastery is to be suspended in a basket which is pulled to the top by
several monks who pull and tug with all their strength. Obviously, the
ride up the steep cliff in that basket is terrifying.
One tourist got exceedingly nervous about half-way up as he noticed
that the rope by which he was suspended was old and frayed. With a
trembling voice, he asked the monk who was riding with him in the
basket how often they changed the rope.
The monk thought for a moment and answered serenely, "Whenever it
breaks."
Help me as I strive to have a broken spirit.
We are shocked that someone would wait that long before changing the
rope. It only makes sense that the rope ought to be changed long before
reaching that point. But, it dawned on me that God operates the same
way in our lives. If we were to ask God when He will change our lives,
His answer might well be, "Whenever you break!"
You see, our lives can only change once we have what the Bible refers
to as a "broken and contrite spirit." As long as we remain arrogant and
determined to do things our way, God can't shape us and mold us. Like a
wild stallion, we remain useless until we are "broken."
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted ... (Psalm 34:18 NIV). ... a
broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise (Psalm 51:17
NIV).
Father, I so often want to do things my own stubborn way. Help me as I
strive to have a broken spirit, recognizing my shortcomings while
humbly and willingly listening to Your instruction. In Jesus' name.
Amen.
I have heard that there is a monastery in Greece perched high on a
cliff, several hundred feet in the air. The only way to reach the
monastery is to be suspended in a basket which is pulled to the top by
several monks who pull and tug with all their strength. Obviously, the
ride up the steep cliff in that basket is terrifying.
One tourist got exceedingly nervous about half-way up as he noticed
that the rope by which he was suspended was old and frayed. With a
trembling voice, he asked the monk who was riding with him in the
basket how often they changed the rope.
The monk thought for a moment and answered serenely, "Whenever it
breaks."
Help me as I strive to have a broken spirit.
We are shocked that someone would wait that long before changing the
rope. It only makes sense that the rope ought to be changed long before
reaching that point. But, it dawned on me that God operates the same
way in our lives. If we were to ask God when He will change our lives,
His answer might well be, "Whenever you break!"
You see, our lives can only change once we have what the Bible refers
to as a "broken and contrite spirit." As long as we remain arrogant and
determined to do things our way, God can't shape us and mold us. Like a
wild stallion, we remain useless until we are "broken."
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted ... (Psalm 34:18 NIV). ... a
broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise (Psalm 51:17
NIV).
Father, I so often want to do things my own stubborn way. Help me as I
strive to have a broken spirit, recognizing my shortcomings while
humbly and willingly listening to Your instruction. In Jesus' name.
Amen.