Every morning I sit with my girls at the table and read a devotional before they leave for school. It is my way of putting their "armor" on before they leave for the big wide world. Every year has been different how we do these devotionals. Some years we have read from a devotional book; however, two years ago I was impressed upon by the Holy Spirit to read the full Word of God.
I started in the Gospels and we have since traveled section by section through Matthew and Mark. For the last year we have been reading Luke section by section and I love how I am getting, yet, another perspective of the life of Christ from a different person's angle. I was recently reading Luke 20: 9-19 and we paused on a verse and studied it for the day.
"' The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.' Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces [...]"
The girls and I paused to give thought to this verse before I began to explain from my Study Bible as well as add my own wisdom from past studies as well.
The "stone" Jesus was referring to in this passage refers to himself. The "builders" were the religious leaders of that time period. They rejected Jesus in more than one way. They rejected His teaching, His salvation, and His very person. The cornerstone, which was the most important stone in the making of a building, was chosen very carefully so the walls coming from and above it would be aligned properly. Jesus was the "cornerstone" that would carry the new covenant God had promised; yet, the builders (aka religious leaders) rejected him.
The verse goes on to say "Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces." For many, brokenness is a negative thing in our lives. I have had many broken things in our home including a pot purchased during my honeymoon, a blown glass log brought by my father from Germany, my computer with all of the photos we've ever taken, a broken heart from the loss of miscarried babies. There are many things we all walk through which will end in brokenness; however, brokenness can also bring life and rejuvenation. Everyone who "falls" on "that stone will be broken to pieces." It sounds like a negative thing; however, falling into the arms of Jesus Christ is sure to "break" things in our lives which should not be there. Alcoholism, idolatry, adultery, pride, bad habits, sickness, disease. To have things such as those mentioned in the former sentence broken would be seen as positive and an opportunity for a new life moving forward. Take a seed for example.
In order for new life to burst forth, the seed must break. Through the brokenness of the seed coat; roots, stem, and a new plant emerges. Yet, without the broken process, we would not have the wonderful foods, flowers, trees, or shrubs we see today. The same is seen when a baby is being formed, what happens? The beginning processes of a human is the separation of cells to create new cells.
This is life. Being broken creates the tools to change life. Does it hurt? Is it comfortable? Heck, no! But the beauty of this is the relinquishment we give to Christ in our brokenness to allow Him to put us back together again, to create new, to multiply, and to have us give. In turn, it is in our giving that we become renewed. Giving of our time, our talents, our possessions, of our very selves.
How are you renewed, you ask?
Let's return to the plant. It was created before man, in the garden of Eden, and is a great example.
Genesis 1:11
" Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.” And it was so. "
As you can read, the plant was renewed through the bearing of seed but what must happen so that the plant can bear seed? It must break. The fruit must burst forth from the plant and be taken off. For the seed to remain on the plant will only cause the seed to rot and attract pests which will be an endangerment to the plant itself.
And so God calls us to give of ourselves as He did on the cross, to be broken, so that He, himself, can fill us, mold us, renew us.
Galatians 2:20
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
There is freedom in falling upon Jesus, The Cornerstone. There is peace in allowing Him to work in our broken lives knowing only He can renew and make whole. There is joy which comes from giving of ourselves.
I never thought my life would have turned out the way that it did. I had an idea of what I wanted; however, I relinquished all of my hopes and dreams to my Savior long ago, followed in His will, and I have found myself living a life of unexplainable joy and peace not because all of my outside circumstances were what the world would define as "happy" but because I have walked with the peace of knowing I am in God's will and He's got my back, always.
Personally, in what ways do you need to relinquish control to God? After mulling that question and answer over, I would love to hear the top verse you have leaned on when walking through difficult times. Simply login as a member to comment and subscribe here to get the latest updates and messages from yours truly! I look forward to reading your inspirational verses!
