Brokenness: The Necessary Step

When the weight of the burden is intuitively acknowledged it will begin to bend the soul. This bend is not bad but good. Everything about the man begins to answer to the burden whether intentional or not. Each relationship is subconciously evaluated upon encounter as to its help or hindrance concerning the burden. Every project is assessed in light of its contribution to or distraction from the burden. Every bible passage is interpreted with the burden in mind. Marriage, parenting, job, finances and prayerlife become slaves to the burden. Some have suggested that this is the fetal stage of a man’s personal vision. Though this may be true, it must be handled as such for sure. The burden must be allowed to develop and mature. It is just as precious as a baby and the choices are just the same, abort, endure and lament or embrace and nurture. When we embrace and nurture the burden it redefines our whole life. But we can only embrace it when we have been thoroughly broken in will, mind and soul. Broken in such a fashion as to forsake all that is of self. Not that we can forget all but we can give up the relentless, mind-boggling, flesh-pleasing, self-conceived pursuit. This is the fruit or evidence of brokenness. This is the cross. You will know that you have the burden when you feel the mystical weight of it on the back of your wounded soul. You will know that you are broken under it when you have been willingly nailed to it.

K