Session 5: Brokenness

We’ve been meeting for 5 weeks now and have grown from 4 to 30 men. What's the connecting factor that we all relate to and have in common? Though we keep moving, as men, over time we’ve been bruised and “broken.”

I found an analogy of this brokenness in the art form of Kintsugi. Where a master potter creates a vessel; breaks it, and puts it back together sealing its cracks with gold. This method causes the vessel to be more valuable after it’s been broken than before. God being the master potter does just that for us and our brokenness

We are called vessels in the Bible over 100 times. And in Isaiah, it speaks clearly of us being created by the hands of God. In life, we become damaged and look to be repaired in places outside of the manufacturer. In the club, at the bar, with women, with alcohol, with drugs, etc., looking for a fix in places that only tend to make matters worse. But if your car breaks, would you feel more comfortable at an appliance shop or the dealership? We must remember our maker and seek Him for all repairs.

Here in Jeremiah, God gave another clear example of how our imperfections can be easily overcome and resolved when in His hands. Many of us are marred and leave His presence, walking through life damaged and refusing to go to the potter's house because we feel we need to be fixed first, not knowing that that’s exactly what the potter's house is for.

Some Christians will appear perfect and lead people to believe they have no flaws, sending the message that you need to be perfect to enter in. But in these scriptures, Paul (who had a very checkered past himself and understood God's grace in weakness well) made it clear that in our weakness is when He’s strong. Humbling ourselves and revealing where we were once broken or currently are…giving our testimonies and pointing people who may be dealing with the same issues to the master potter who seals all wounds gives God glory for the gold He has filled you with. This is how we strengthen each other through Him. (I think it’s important to note that this was in a letter to the Church of Corinth, which was located in a sinful and fast city up the street from the “A,” aka Athens, lol. The church consisted of Jews and Gentiles, mature believers and those fresh off the streets. This was vital information for them to prevail.)

I was, and in some cases still am, dealing with the shame of my past brokenness, but understanding that I’m no longer that person and that I’ve been made new, I can boldly speak on what He’s brought me from. He made all those old things new. I stand as a new and improved vessel, more valuable than before. You see it, you relate, and I point you straight to who did it.

1. Stop using unreliable and temporary things to fill your voids. We are vessels and it is important what we fill ourselves with. No drug, alcohol, ignorant tv show/tracklist, or anything that’s contrary to His word. What we feed grows what we starve dies off. Fill your spirit with more of Him and less of this world’s vices.

2. We fill our time with everything that’s contrast to healing. If you break your arm playing and go back to play before you see the doctor the more you play the more damage is done. The Bible says seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these other things will be added. If you’ve put women before Him, social media before Him, your money etc Repent and let Christ be your God. Everything else you need will be added. In the wrong order you will cause yourself more damage.

3. This speaks for itself. That’s why we’re here. If we see our guy sliding back into a broken place we can call it out. We struggle we can ask for help from Wise counsel not World counsel. We keep each other lifted in the Lord.

4. Let your past go. You aren’t that anymore. God has made you a new creature. Continue to walk away from your past and be at peace to know that’s who you were but in Christ I’ve been made new and will remain in Him