Broken Pots; Vessels that have been spilled out to be used by God

I remember years ago teaching a flannel graph story (yes, that was a long time ago) about different vessels that had to be broken in order to be used. The story was called “God Uses Broken Things”. It was a Child Evangelism Fellowship tool for adults in order to enlist them into child evangelism. I had always taught Childrens Worship and childrens classes forever and ever it seemed. But, I do remember that this particular story meant so very much to me. It is one that impressed me to get out on the mission field and to put feet and hands to my words. I want to share the premise of this story with you in maybe a new way today.
You might believe that you cannot be used of God because you have no special abilities. You can’t write. You can’t sing. You don’t have money. Maybe you are not physically well. You might lack Bible training. There are many reasons people choose to not serve God. These are but a few. But, our God, is not looking for those who can do His will in their natural abilities. He wants a person (vessel) that can be emptied of self and have his Holy Spirit fill up the vessel to spill to overflowing. When that happens, the smallest of men, the youngest of person, the poorest of souls, can and will be mighty in His kingdom. God is looking for weak and broken people who will allow this to happen in their lives. He wants to pour His power into each of you. When this happens there will be a change of heart and attitude in relationship to your service for God.
We often place high value on natural ability, gifts, training and ability as requisites for working in His work. Scripture tells us that “He gives power to the faint and to them that have no might he increases their strength.” Isaiah 40:29. What an encouragement that should be to each of us. We have so little to offer but He wants us especially for that reason.
Hudson Taylor said, “All God’s giants were weak men who did great things for God because they believed God would work through them.” Mr. Moody said, “When God wants to move a mountain He does not take a bar of iron but a little worm. The fact is we have too much strength. We are not weak enough. It is not our strength God wants. One drop of His strength is worth more than all the world.” “My strength is made perfect in your weakness.” 11 Corinthians 12:9.
I would like to show you a few things from the Word that needed to be broken in order to be used. Take the bread that we use at communion. It is used as a symbol to show the broken body of our Lord Jesus. Because of this broken body – eternal salvation has been offered to each of us. Then there is the broken alabaster box. It was really a vase that was sealed with a wax ring to prevent the evaporation of the costly perfume. Mary broke this seal and the marvelous aroma of the ointment filled the room. How could the odor have come out if the seal had not been broken? We need to be broken so that we can completely yield to His working in or lives. The next broken item was the broken pitchers used by Gideon in battle. Check out Judge 7:16-20 for the full story. He was to break the pitchers and hold the torches up high. Do you see how these pitchers are much like our bodies? We must be broken so we can hold up our light to the world to see Jesus. My favorite story is the one about the broken roof. I know you are familiar with this story. The four friends brought the sick man to see Jesus. The crowd was so large that they could not get near him. They got creative and went up onto the rooftop. They pulled back part of the roof and lowered the man right into the room with Jesus. The man was healed that very day. He broke the hindrances of the crowd that day so that this man could be made whole. What hindrances are we holding onto? What is in our way of being used by him for a specific purpose?
Let’s not forget about the broken walls of Jericho. The people marched around the walls. God told them to do that for seven days. On the 7th day they were to blow the trumpets, blast the rams horn and shout. When they did as God instructed, the walls of the city came tumbling down. God’s methods are not our methods. His ways are not our ways. He is not waiting for someone who is strong. He wants you as you are to go forth and conquer in his name. What about this story? The disciples had worked hard all night but had not caught any fish. Jesus comes along and tells them to move the nets to the other side of the boat. When they did as they were told there were so many fish that the net broke. It could not contain the weight. We need to be like those fishermen. To be out and about in our daily walk and bring in “fish” for his kingdom. The Bible says that we are to be fishers of men. We need to do this so much that our nets break with the yield of His people coming to know him.
If you yield your will under His word you will find that great and mighyt things will happen within you and the people around you. I am not saying that we are all to go overseas as a missionary. That we are all leave our homes and families to go somewhere in this country and work for God. But, I am saying, that as a child of God, we have each been called to do a specific job that only we can do. He will equip those that he has called. If you have been given a job by God, then that means, he will give you what you need to fulfill that job. “Not by might, nor by my power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.” Zechariah 4:6
Use this simple story about “brokenness” to check your walk with God. I pray that as you yield to Him, you will grow in your love one to another. The world will know that you are a Christian by your walk and by your behavior to each other. May the world see the real YOU, the one that has been unleashed by the power of His might.
Leola