Break me Lord

I recently had the opportunity to listen to some inspiring women speak about their faith, growth, and trials. As I sat there listening, my heart was full. I couldn't help but admire these women who had drawn so close to God despite their heartache and struggles. It became so clear to me that each of these women had a few things in common. They had all humbled themselves to the Lord, submitted their will to His, and allowed Him to carry them through.  

All of the sudden it hit me like a ton of bricks! An epiphany that I hadn't recognized until that very moment. Our trials and heartaches should be counted as some of our most precious jewels! All of our burdens that we carry are for our own good. These experiences have been placed in our lives as an opportunity to draw near to Him. God is orchestrating a beautiful masterpiece from our lives. He is creating a journey beyond my comprehension. He is changing me in ways I never considered.

I once heard a quote that said "Come as you are, but don't plan to stay as you are." - Jeffery R. Holland It is our soul purpose in this life to change for the better. As these words entered into my mind, my eyes welled with tears. I offered a simple yet fervent prayer. "Ok Lord, I'm ready... Go ahead and break me. If that is what I need in order to become who you know I can be.... break me. Shatter me into a million pieces." I knew with my whole heart that God could build something beautiful with my broken self.

It was once said that God loves broken things.. why else would he have made so darn many of them? God wants us to come to him with a broken heart. He wants us to humble ourselves before him. He wants to show us the beauty that can come from brokenness … “God uses broken things. It takes broken soil to produce a crop, broken clouds to give rain, broken grain to give bread, broken bread to give strength.”

I immediately felt incredibly blessed and grateful for my trials. Never before in my life have I felt God's love for me so strongly. This whole experience has made me more compassionate towards others. It has opened my eyes to a whole new world. I study harder. I pray harder. I love more. I hang on to every word in every song that is sung at church. I crave these peaceful moments and do everything to seek them out.

Once I felt this intense gratitude, I found myself saying, "Please don't take this away from me just yet. I'm just getting to the good part." I am just now learning what it means to find refuge in the Lord. I am just now starting to understand what my relationship with my Father in Heaven can be. It is heart-wrenchingly beautiful!

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." Matthew Ch. 11

God asks that we rest in Him. Through Him, we can find our haven. Through Him, we are limitless. There is no barrier we cannot overcome. When we hit that point where we are low enough to find God, we will see that we can be lifted through his grace. His love for us is so very real. Trust in Him and allow Him to change you to become more than you ever thought possible.