Broken and Poured Out

YOU are a display of the splendor of God!

Through the years, this has become one of my favorite identity truths in the Bible.  I don’t know about you, but when I think of the splendor of God, I don’t immediately think of myself. I am much more likely to think of creation first. To look at the mountains in all their majestic splendor or a beautiful flower. Maybe the serene beauty of a sunrise or sunset. Or the calming rhythms of the ocean and its tides.

How about you, what makes you think of God’s splendor?  Do you see yourself as a beautiful display of HIS splendor? 

How do YOU display God’s splendor? Displaying HIS splendor begins with being created in His image, being who he made you to be. But it also goes beyond that. It includes your story. What you have walked through. Your life experiences. 

Your story declares God’s splendor!

When I share my story of how God healed me and gave me hope after growing up with the trauma of physical, sexual, verbal and emotional abuse, I am declaring and displaying the splendor of a God who redeems and restores what the enemy meant for harm and evil.

When I tell my story of how God lovingly drew me to His heart of unconditional love, I am declaring and displaying the splendor of a God who transforms hearts and sets the captives free with the Truth of His Word.

When I reveal my story of how God rescued my failing marriage and began breaking unhealthy family cycles, I am declaring and displaying the splendor of a God who makes all things possible.

When I release my story of how God redeemed my devastating ministry disappointment and feelings of failure with HIS Kingdom purpose for such a time as this, I am declaring and displaying the splendor of a God who promises to work all things together for our good and His Greater Glory.

 When you become vulnerable, humbled and surrendered, you allow the Holy Spirit to use your messy story for the display and splendor of a God who forgives, heals, redeems, restores the brokenhearted and sets the captives free.

Remember, healed people heal people, and free people free people!

This is why your story matters!  Why your experiences, both good and bad, are significant for God’s Kingdom.  God has uniquely met you where and when you needed Him most. Now He is asking you to surrender, to be broken and pour yourself out as a beautiful, sacrificial, fragrant offering to demonstrate His unfailing love, mercy and grace.

What jar are you still gripping…not willing to be broken and surrendered?

Your pain…your plans…your dreams…your timeline…your comfort…your relationships…your version of how life “should” go?

Break the jar so the fragrance of Christ can be released to spread through you!

God doesn’t waste the breaking.  He uses it to release what is beautiful. Remember, your breaking is not the end. It is the beginning of God’s redeeming purpose to be free to share your story.

Are you willing to be broken and poured out for the beautiful display of His Splendor? There are brokenhearted people all around you that need to hear your story.

It’s time to rise up and speak up. Your story may give hope and courage to change the stories of others for future generations!

 Pray this prayer of surrender:

“Father, I worship You in the beauty of Your holiness and majesty.  I offer myself to You as a sacrificial fragrant offering. As You fill me with more of Your Holy Spirit, I desire to be broken and poured out for Your redeeming purpose.  I AM CREATED AND CALLED FOR THE DISPLAY OF YOUR SPLENDOR!

In Jesus Name and For Your Glory, Amen.”