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BROKENNESS-WHAT THE DIFFERENCE IS BETWEEN THE SUPERFICIAL AND THE LASTING

In his book, A Pot of Oil, George D. Watson describes the difference between what he calls "through gentleness" and "mere mental or superficial gentleness." Much of what George Watson writes about gentleness can be applied to the subject of brokenness. Is not brokenness a virtual twin to gentleness?

It consists of mentally putting one's self on the altar, and then mentally saying that the altar sanctifies the gift, and then…concluding that one is therefore sanctified: and such an one goes forth with a gay, flippant theological prattle about the deep things of God: but the natural heartstrings have not been snapped, and the Adamic flint has not been ground to powder, and the bosom has not throbbed with the lonely, surging sighs of Gethsemane, and the beautiful self-constructed air castles have been crushed to pieces…

"We must not only lie in the tomb when we are sanctified, but that death must be carried out in the little hidden details of life. This involves a vast amount of quiet suffering, the silent bearing of a thousand pains, and the speechless enduring of secret crosses, told only to God with private midnight tears. But if we want to be filled with a (broken) spirit we must be filled with death to self…there is a vast and tedious stretch of weary and painful progress in having the mind of Jesus…"

Now how is Watson describing the difference between that brokenness which is genuine and lasting and that "brokenness" which is only superficial?

He is saying that the hurt which is only a temporary bruising will soon be seen to be only a brief blip on the cardiogram of a generally unaltered attitude and lifestyle.

The tenderness does not last. The bruise does not last.

The limp of the genuinely broken Jacob follows him for the rest of his life!

Like a bird that trails a broken wing,
I have come home to Thee;
Home from a flight oand freedom
That was never meant for me.

And I, who have known far spaces,
And the fierce heat of the sun,
Ask only the shelter of Thy wings,
Now that the day is done.

--Pastor David M. Atkinson

For more material from Pastor Atkinson, click here.

(This book is self-published and is available from the book store at:
Dyer Baptist Church at Plum Creek
738 - 213th Street
Dyer, Indiana 46311 )

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