Every New Year I am reminded of my brokenness.
I am not the person I think I am.
So every Jan 1, I set out to make change. And within 30 days or less most, if not all, my attempts at change have failed.
What I have discovered is that my attempts fail because I have failed to see my brokenness as part of the solution. I usually try to overcome my brokenness by doing something radically different, which never really addresses the reason for my brokenness.
Brokenness is a pathway to discover something deeper within ourselves. However, the initial discoveries are often more brokenness. But if we are able to persevere we can actually discover what really needs to change. And that change usually starts with something from within, not on the outside.
Most of our attempts at change are focused on externals. Thus we fail at long lasting change because we still are bringing our unhealed brokenness with us.
Jesus had a conversation with some folks who continued to miss this point. They had bought into the process that religion teaches, which said change your behavior and you will be changed.
He told them you spend so much time cleaning the outside of the cup while the inside is filled with greed and self-indulgence. You're like manicured grave plots, grass clipped and the flowers bright, but six feet down it's all rotting bones and worm-eaten flesh. People look at you and think you're saints, but beneath the skin you're total frauds.
They were ignoring their brokenness and the result was a lack of authenticity and real transformative change.
This year lets stop ignoring our brokenness and instead see our brokenness as part of the solution to real life long change.
What brokenness do you need to stop ignoring and press into in order to live more authentically into who you really are?
I will start with mine for 2012.
Isolation is part of my brokenness.
Why am I isolating myself?
I believe my brokenness is my pathway to real connection.
What is your brokenness?
I am not the person I think I am.
So every Jan 1, I set out to make change. And within 30 days or less most, if not all, my attempts at change have failed.
What I have discovered is that my attempts fail because I have failed to see my brokenness as part of the solution. I usually try to overcome my brokenness by doing something radically different, which never really addresses the reason for my brokenness.
Brokenness is a pathway to discover something deeper within ourselves. However, the initial discoveries are often more brokenness. But if we are able to persevere we can actually discover what really needs to change. And that change usually starts with something from within, not on the outside.
Most of our attempts at change are focused on externals. Thus we fail at long lasting change because we still are bringing our unhealed brokenness with us.
Jesus had a conversation with some folks who continued to miss this point. They had bought into the process that religion teaches, which said change your behavior and you will be changed.
He told them you spend so much time cleaning the outside of the cup while the inside is filled with greed and self-indulgence. You're like manicured grave plots, grass clipped and the flowers bright, but six feet down it's all rotting bones and worm-eaten flesh. People look at you and think you're saints, but beneath the skin you're total frauds.
They were ignoring their brokenness and the result was a lack of authenticity and real transformative change.
This year lets stop ignoring our brokenness and instead see our brokenness as part of the solution to real life long change.
What brokenness do you need to stop ignoring and press into in order to live more authentically into who you really are?
I will start with mine for 2012.
Isolation is part of my brokenness.
Why am I isolating myself?
I believe my brokenness is my pathway to real connection.
What is your brokenness?
4 comments:
Thanks for sharing. Part of my brokeness and one I am currently stuggling with, is my desire to control the leve of pain I experience in life. Along with that comes the thought that I am more worth while and have grter meaning when I can contibute physically to my family and those around me. I am flat on my back (literally) and am wrestling with these feelings perhaps acceptance is a first step in the healing. Peace. Babs
Babs, I wonder if your feeling of worth being connected to your ability to contribute physically is something the Apostle Paul went through while in prison. Maybe this brokenness is an opportunity to explore a deepening and discovery in prayer. It seemed to do that to Paul, where he was able to talk about being a person who prayed without ceasing. I wonder if being unable to contribute physically developed that within him.
I will be praying for your healing and discoveries during this time.
This year I want to open myself up to effectively managing personal stress. I recognize when I am stressed and I recognize some of the things that stress me but I have no way of dealing with that stress. I usually end up bottling up anxiety and/or taking out in damaging ways. I see two parts to this process. One, getting to know myself more and, two, experimenting with different solutions.
Airbag, thank you for sharing. One of the ways that has been helpful for me to know my true self better has been the discipline of Solitude and Silence. I am participating in a 5 day silent retreat in a couple weeks. I am both excited and anxious. I will let you know how it goes. I will be praying for your experiments and discoveries.
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