"I tell you the truth, unless a
kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But
if it dies, it produces many seeds." (John 12:24 NIV)
Have you ever noticed in nature that there is beauty
in brokenness?
One kernel of wheat (or any seed for that matter!), is
worthless unless it gets buried in the dirt (Yes! That yucky stuff that gets
underneath finger nails!) and
dies. Once it does, it starts to grow to majestic proportions, producing the
beautiful flowers and fruit we delight in.
A cow passes waste up to twelve times in any given
day. A yard would sure not look too attractive after a week's worth of that kind
of work! But we don't have to worry, for rainworms and numerous other tiny
organisms come to the rescue, breaking down this smelly stuff. Although we may
pinch our nose to such a smelly thought, farmers and gardeners alike use this
by-product of cows to keep their farmland and gardens healthy! It is the best
kind of fertilizer on earth!
Though most of us don't like the rain, if it were
never to fall, there would be no plantlife. Before a house can be built, we need
to cut down trees and turn them into much needed lumber. And the list of
examples could go on and on.
The same principle is promoted throughout the Word of
God.
When Gideon was fighting the Medianites, God used
broken pitchers to lead them to victory (See Judges 7:18-20). Jesus fed the
5000s after he broke the bread and fish (See Luke 9:13-17). Jesus' head was
anointed with a very special perfume by Mary, after she broke her jar containing
this special elixir (See Mark 14: 3-9). "Weeping may remain for a night, but
rejoicing comes in the morning. (Ps 30:5 NIV)
And more importantly we need to die before we can
truly live, as symbolized in baptism: Rom 6:3-7 "Or don't you know that all of
us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were
therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as
Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live
a new life. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will
certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. For we know that our old
self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with,
that we should no longer be slaves to sin-because anyone who has died has been
freed from sin." (Rom 6:3-7 NIV)
There truly can be no making without breaking. Revival
cannot be experienced until we experience complete brokenness. "My grace is
sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Cor 12:9 NIV)
Do you need any fertilizer? You are welcome to borrow
my cow.
Rob Chaffart
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
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The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.