Worship in Brokenness (Part 1)

Most of us know the nursery rhyme that chronicles the demise of Humpty Dumpty.

            Humpty Dumpty sat on the wall

            Humpty Dumpty had a great fall

            All the king’s horses and all the king’s men

            Couldn’t put Humpty together again

I have recited this poem many times during my childhood, but never thought about what the words really say. Is it possible to be high on life at one moment only to have a great fall the next? Is it possible that after a great fall, no matter how many people try to help or how hard they try, a person can still be left in pieces? Sadly, the answer to both questions is, “Yes.”

There have been moments in my life when it felt like the chisel of circumstance was relentless in chipping away bits of my heart and self-worth. Even while living a Christian lifestyle and serving in the church, heartache and disappointment come. Whether due to rejection, sickness, loss of a loved one, the pressures of life, someone else’s bad choices, or my own sin, the result is the same: brokenness.

Like Humpty Dumpty, great effort may have been made to put us back together, but to no avail. Maybe, like me, you have wondered, “God, where are You? Have You forgotten about me? Do You still love me? Don’t You see me broken in pieces?” When I find myself in “Humpty Dumpty” moments, I have learned to embrace the beauty of worship. Through worship we experience a miraculous exchange between ourselves and our Creator. Worship is one of the powerful means by which we are able to give something to the Lord. We let go of the pain of brokenness in the flesh in return for the beauty of brokenness in the Spirit. We get to offer Him all that we are, and in return, we receive all that He is.

Many of us have our hearts locked up in our own alabaster boxes of insecurity or pride. Maybe we have allowed glimpses of our gifts, but never truly offered our whole heart. I mean every part of us; our hopes and joys, our dark secrets, and deepest hurts. I want to encourage you that Jesus can be trusted with the breaking of your box. An intimate relationship with Him is worth removing any barrier between you and Him. Neither your heart nor box need be in perfect condition before offering it to Jesus. As a matter of fact, He specializes in loving and accepting us in the midst of our mess. Jesus is better than all the king’s horses and all the king’s men. For He is the King of kings and Lord of lords!

Next week we will learn how the woman with the alabaster box was able to worship in her own brokenness.