LiFE - Live, Give, Do...

Shane Claiborne writes, "The gospel is good news for sick people and is disturbing for those who think they've got it all together. Some of us have been told our whole lives that we are wretched, but the gospel reminds us that we are beautiful. Others of us have been told our whole lives that we are beautiful, but the gospel reminds us that we are also wretched. The church is a place where we can stand up and say we are wretched, and everyone will nod and agree and remind us that we are also beautiful."

Jesus is for losers. Soy un perdidor...I am a loser! A loser in the sense that I recognize my wretchedness...strike that...brokenness. What's the difference? Is there a difference?

This week at LiFE we experienced brokenness in three ways:

1. LEGOS
   The world tells us, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!" But if we keep this mentality we find ourselves stuck in the rut of complacency...unwilling to grow, better yet, unwilling let God work on us. We must let brokenness be an ongoing part of our lives. Our mindset needs to change to, "If it thinks it's fixed, break it!"
2. MIRROR
   Brokenness does not mean self-defeat. Who we are in Christ does not change when we are broken. Spirit led brokenness leads us to a place where our identity comes from God...wretched yet beautiful. Click here to see a list of who you are in Christ.
3. POEMS
   We compared and contrasted two poems to see a pride filled view of self, and a broken view of self. What are the specific barriers to brokenness that you are experiencing in your LiFE?

James MacDonald defines brokenness as "an ongoing attitude of humility before and desperation for God."

Questions to ponder (or comment on!!):

• What brokenness am I experiencing right now? What is God reveiling through it?
• If I am not experiencing brokenness, what does that say about my relationship with God?
• Does God cause brokenness? Or is it self-inflicted? Or is it Satan?
• Add a question of your own...

Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your fallowed soil, your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers righteousness on you. -Hosea 10:12

Have a great week!