I've got a key fob to my car that no longer works. I figure the battery is dead and it needs to be replaced. It's been like this for months and I know the solution is to simply go to an auto parts shop, but I choose not to. I don't want to spend my time, energy or finances getting it fixed. At least not right now. I plan to do it eventually, but "right now" is always inconvenient for me.
Often times when something doesn't work or it breaks, we have the choice to either try to fix it ourselves, get it fixed by a professional, get rid of it altogether or do nothing. We can be like that spiritually, too. Something is broken in the form of a relationship, a heart, a mind, trust, etc. and it stays broken because we choose not to get it fixed. Or we try to DIY project the broken pieces.
It reminds me of my little 1/4 measuring cup. It dropped in my kitchen on the tile floor nearly a year ago and broke on impact. At the time, I quickly grabbed the pieces I could find and super glue. I followed the instructions completely and within a couple of weeks, after regular use and washing, the pieces just fell apart again. I still use my little 1/4 measuring cup, I just leave it broken, keeping the handle in the drawer beside it.There are those of us who might try to DIY fix whatever is hurt and broken within us, but when that doesn't last and things eventually fall apart, we leave it alone and hold on to the broken pieces. I'm reminded of Jacob in the Bible when his sons deceived him into believing that some wild beast ate his beloved Joseph (Gen. 37:31-33). Joseph was Jacob's favorite son because he was born by his favorite wife Rachel. Jealousy led Joseph's brothers to sell him into slavery and deceive their father. When Jacob believed Joseph was truly gone, he experienced a heart break and grief like he never knew and slowly traveled down a tunnel of depression that would continue for several years.
How could Jacob—one of the fathers of Israel, someone who walked so closely with God, who literally wrestled with God and never walked the same afterwards (Gen. 32:24-31)—have experienced such an extended period of grief and depression? Scripture tells us in Genesis that Jacob's children tried to comfort him after his loss, but Jacob refused to be comforted.
There are times where we might find ourselves like Jacob. We refuse to be comforted in our brokenness, pain and even anger. Sometimes we don't want to bring God the broken pieces because we want to stay angry. Sometimes we don't want to bring God the broken pieces because we refuse to be comforted. It could be unforgiveness towards a spouse who was unfaithful. It could be grief over the loss of a loved one. It could be hurt over a broken relationship with a relative or dear friend. Whatever the brokenness may be, we need the Professional to step in and make it whole again.
We have to become child-like before our Father and allow Him to fix what is broken (Matt. 18:3). That's easier said than done, especially if you are someone who did not grow up with that type of relationship with your own physical father. Perhaps you've always been the type of person that had to fix things yourself because you couldn't depend on anyone else to fix them. It's amazing how much our physical relationships with people often affect our spiritual relationship with God.
Sometimes I choose not to bring my broken objects to a professional because it's inconvenient. While other times, it's because I know that the object that I find meaningful will never be the same. As people, we can fear letting go. We can fear forgetting. We can fear losing what was and having to accept what now is and what will be. That same fear keeps us from bringing our broken pieces to God.
But think back to when you first came to God. I don't know a single person who ever came to Jesus while they were whole, perfect and without any issues. Remember that mankind is born into sin (Rom. 3:23; 5:12-14; 1 John 1:8), which means we are born into brokenness. Then we grow up in this life being shaped by broken people and molded by a broken society, but until we meet Jesus Christ we don't realize the state of our own brokenness. Think back to when you first became aware of your own brokenness and Jesus stepped in to heal and restore the broken pieces.
I never knew a love like His until I came to Him in my brokenness. Remembering what Jesus has done in the past with my broken pieces is what encourages me to always bring Him my broken pieces. I pray the verse in Isaiah 64:8 that declares He is my Father and Potter and I am His clay. He has never failed me and He never will because He can never fail. But if I'm not careful, I can be just like Jacob: one day walking with God and the next day refusing to be comforted by Him.
Whatever your broken pieces may be, they are valid, your hurt is real and your loss is great. But if you choose to bring your broken pieces to the Master Craftsman, the Potter and Father of us all, He is able and willing to take what was broken and make it into something new (Rev. 21:5; 2 Cor. 5:17). He can take the broken pieces of something that seems final and finished, and bring about something that you never knew could even exist. I believe that for you and I'm praying it over your heart, mind, soul and spirit.