[00:00:00] Speaker A: Foreign.
[00:00:07] Speaker B: Let's dive in. Today we're going deep on something that might not sound like the most uplifting topic. Brokenness.
[00:00:14] Speaker A: Yeah, it's not exactly a word that screams party time, but, you know, there's.
[00:00:20] Speaker B: Got to be more to it than just feeling defeated or down.
[00:00:22] Speaker A: Oh, absolutely. What's interesting is how Glenn takes this concept, something we often try to avoid, and. And shows how it can be a starting point for some serious transformation.
[00:00:31] Speaker B: Okay, so how does he even begin to unpack that? Where's the entry point into this whole brokenness thing?
[00:00:38] Speaker A: Well, he starts with something we can all connect with. That idea of a borking point. You know, everyone, no matter how tough they are, has a limit, A point where the pressure just becomes too much.
[00:00:47] Speaker B: Yeah, I can definitely relate to that. We've all had those moments where we feel like we're about to crack. But how does Glenn link that to spiritual growth?
[00:00:55] Speaker A: He uses it as a bridge. He's drawing this parallel between those super intense pressure points in our lives and the potential for a real breakthrough spiritually. He says it's often when we're at our lowest, feeling like we're falling apart, that we become the most open to God working in us.
[00:01:13] Speaker B: So it's not about staying broken?
[00:01:15] Speaker A: Nope, not at all. It's about recognizing that those breaking points, those times when we feel the pressure the most, can actually be like catalysts for some serious change. And to illustrate this, he brings up the story of King David.
[00:01:27] Speaker B: Right, King David. Powerful guy, but he definitely had his share of flaws.
[00:01:32] Speaker A: Oh, yeah, we're talking adultery, murder. Serious stuff. But what's important is what happened after everything came to light. He didn't make excuses or try to hide it. He came before God completely broken, genuinely repenting for his actions.
[00:01:47] Speaker B: And that's where Psalm 51 comes in, right?
[00:01:49] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:01:49] Speaker B: That super raw emotional outpouring of repentance.
[00:01:52] Speaker A: Exactly, exactly. And Glenn points out how in that psalm, David puts so much emphasis on having a broken spirit way more than just going through the motions of religious rituals. He gets it. God isn't impressed by empty actions. God wants real heart change.
[00:02:06] Speaker B: So just feeling bad about messing up isn't enough.
[00:02:09] Speaker A: There's a difference between feeling remorse and genuine brokenness. David says in Psalm 51.1, the sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart. Oh, God, you will not despise.
It's about recognizing our need for God, like, deep down in our core.
[00:02:28] Speaker B: Wow, that's pretty powerful. But when Glenn's talking about brokenness is he just talking about that feeling of.
[00:02:33] Speaker A: Being contrite, he takes it a step further. He delves into the original Hebrew word for broken. And it also carries the meaning to burst open. And that's where he brings in this fascinating analogy of the threshing floor.
[00:02:46] Speaker B: Okay, I'm gonna need a refresher on that one. What exactly is a threshing floor?
[00:02:49] Speaker A: Picture this. You're in ancient Israel. During harvest time, they used to have this hard, flat surface called a threshing floor. The farmers would take bundles of grain and beat them on this surface to separate the good stuff, the kernels, from the unusable chaff.
[00:03:03] Speaker B: So are we the grain in this picture?
[00:03:05] Speaker A: That's exactly what Glenn suggests. Our shell, so to speak, is all the stuff that holds us back from experiencing God's fullness in our lives. Think pride, fear, that need to rely on ourselves. Basically, anything that prevents us from completely surrendering to God.
[00:03:21] Speaker B: So bursting open means.
[00:03:23] Speaker A: It means letting go of those things that are holding us back. Allowing God to do that refining work. He even brings in those words from Jesus. Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone. But if it dies, it bears much fruit. John 12.24.
[00:03:38] Speaker B: Hold on. Dying to bear fruit sounds kind of intense. I don't know if I'm signed up for that.
[00:03:42] Speaker A: He's talking about a spiritual death. A. A letting go of what he calls our soul life. Those self centered desires, those patterns that keep us stuck. We need to surrender those. Glen says only then can we really experience that abundant Zoe life that Jesus promises.
[00:03:57] Speaker B: Okay, so there's more to this Zoe life than, you know, just going to church and trying to be good. What even is this Zoe life? And how does this whole death thing happen? Is it a one time event or more of a process?
[00:04:07] Speaker A: It's definitely a process. And it's all fueled by the Holy Spirit. Remember, we have that same power that raised Jesus from the dead living in us.
[00:04:16] Speaker B: So if that power is already inside of us, then what's stopping us from experiencing this abundant life? Yeah, what's the holdup?
[00:04:23] Speaker A: Well, sometimes that power gets blocked by our own efforts. By our earthen vessels, as Glenn calls them.
[00:04:30] Speaker B: Okay, earthen vessels. Is that another one of those Bible analogies I need a crash course on?
[00:04:35] Speaker A: Think about a plain old clay pot. It's useful. Yeah, but it's also fragile, and there's only so much it can hold. Glenn uses this image to represent our human talents and abilities.
[00:04:47] Speaker B: Are you saying our talents are a bad thing?
[00:04:49] Speaker A: No, not necessarily. But they can become a problem if we lean on them too much. We get all wrapped up improving ourselves. It's like we're trying to cram the entire ocean of God's power into a little shot glass.
[00:04:59] Speaker B: So if we're the clay pots, then what's the treasure inside?
[00:05:02] Speaker A: The treasure is the Holy Spirit, the very presence of God living within us. And like a really expensive perfume needs a beautiful bottle to show off its value. The Holy Spirit needs a vessel that's yielded broken to really work through.
[00:05:16] Speaker B: That makes me think of that story in the Bible about the woman who breaks an alabaster jar of perfume and pours it all over Jesus feet.
[00:05:23] Speaker A: Exactly. It seemed extravagant, but it showed a deep truth. Sometimes the most valuable things are released when we're willing to let go of what we're holding onto.
[00:05:32] Speaker B: Okay, I'm starting to get it now. But it also makes me wonder if we're talking about brokenness, about letting go of ego and control. Does that make us sound kinda weak?
[00:05:42] Speaker A: That's a common misunderstanding. And Glenn addresses it head on. He says true brokenness isn't about weakness, but about power under control.
[00:05:50] Speaker B: Okay, that's an interesting thought. So how does he explain that?
[00:05:53] Speaker A: He uses the Greek word prowse, which people often translate as meek, but it means so much more than that.
[00:05:59] Speaker B: So it's not that meek shall inherit the earth kind of meekness?
[00:06:03] Speaker A: Not quite. Think of it this way. Prows was a term they used in ancient Greece to describe a war horse that had been totally trained. Picture this powerful animal, strong and fast, but completely obedient to even the slightest command from its writer.
[00:06:19] Speaker B: So we're not talking about being passive or letting people walk all over us.
[00:06:22] Speaker A: Not at all. It's about having incredible power, but under control, submitting our will to something higher.
[00:06:29] Speaker B: That's a powerful image. And it reminds me of some verses in the Psalms about how we're like wild horses that need to be tamed.
[00:06:36] Speaker A: Exactly. And just like a wild horse needs training to reach its full potential, we have to submit to God's training to become the people he created us to be.
[00:06:44] Speaker B: Okay, that's starting to make sense. But how do we actually learn to submit to God's training? How do we develop that kind of responsiveness to his leading?
[00:06:52] Speaker A: Glenn points us back to Jesus. Remember, Jesus himself said, take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
[00:07:02] Speaker B: So we learn by watching how Jesus lived, by studying his words and actions?
[00:07:06] Speaker A: Absolutely. But it Goes deeper than just head knowledge. We learn by experiencing his presence, spending time in prayer, letting his spirit change us from the inside out.
[00:07:17] Speaker B: That makes me think about those times when I feel most connected to God. It's usually when I'm quiet, just listening, really trying to be present with him.
[00:07:24] Speaker A: You put it perfectly. It's about creating space for God to speak to us, to shape us, to mold us into the people he wants us to be.
[00:07:32] Speaker B: Okay, so prayer, being still listening to God. But let's be real. Life gets busy. How are we supposed to make time for that kind of closeness when we're juggling work, family, all the other stuff life throws at us?
[00:07:44] Speaker A: It starts with recognizing that our relationship with God is the most important one we have. It's like the biggest bedrock for everything else. And just like any relationship that matters, it needs time and attention.
[00:07:54] Speaker B: So it's about priorities. Making a conscious decision to set aside time for God. Even if it feels hard or inconvenient.
[00:08:01] Speaker A: Exactly. It's like marking that time on your calendar, that daily appointment with the one who loves us the most. Even if it means giving up other things.
[00:08:08] Speaker B: But what about those times when we slip up, when we fall back into old habits or make choices that aren't in line with God's will? Does that mean we're not truly broken?
[00:08:17] Speaker A: We're all on this journey and we all stumble. Sometimes even the most well trained warhorse can step out of line every now and then.
[00:08:24] Speaker B: So it's not about being perfect, but about making progress by getting back up when we fall and keep moving forward.
[00:08:31] Speaker A: That's the beauty of God's grace. He never gives up on us, even when we give up on ourselves. He's always ready to pick us up, dust us off and get us back on track.
[00:08:41] Speaker B: That's really encouraging to hear. It takes the pressure off of having to be perfect and highlights how important that relationship with God is.
[00:08:48] Speaker A: And that's what Glenn keeps coming back to throughout his teaching. It's not about religion. It's about a relationship really knowing God intimately, not just knowing facts about him. And that kind of closeness comes from spending time with him, from opening our hearts to let him change us.
[00:09:04] Speaker B: It's funny, we often use the word intimacy when we talk about romantic relationships, but it applies just as much to our relationship with God.
[00:09:12] Speaker A: You're absolutely right. And just like any healthy relationship, being close to God means being vulnerable, being honest, being willing to let our guard down. It's a about letting him see the real us, brokenness and all.
[00:09:24] Speaker B: Okay, so we've covered. Prioritizing intimacy with God, learning from Jesus, example of meekness, the importance of grace and forgiveness. Anything else Glenn highlights on this journey of brokenness?
[00:09:37] Speaker A: He also emphasizes the importance of community.
[00:09:40] Speaker B: Because we're not meant to go through this alone.
[00:09:42] Speaker A: Exactly. We need each other for support, for encouragement, to hold each other accountable. We need people walking alongside us, people who'll challenge us when we're going astray, and people who'll celebrate with us when we owe overcome something.
[00:09:53] Speaker B: It's like that saying, iron sharpens iron, right?
[00:09:56] Speaker A: Exactly. And it's often within our closest relationships that our brokenness becomes the most clear. It's those close bonds that reveal our rough edges, the areas where we still need to grow and change.
[00:10:07] Speaker B: But honestly, sometimes those close relationships are the ones where we're the most resistant to letting go of control. It can be easier to open up to strangers than to people we see all the time.
[00:10:18] Speaker A: That's true. But it's also in those close relationships where we find the deepest healing and transformation.
[00:10:24] Speaker B: So it's about being willing to take a risk, letting ourselves be seen and loved, even when we're broken.
[00:10:29] Speaker A: And that's where the true beauty of community lies. It's a place where we can be honest about our struggles without judgment, where we can give and receive grace and forgiveness, and where we can encourage others to do the same.
[00:10:41] Speaker B: This makes me think about how Glenn talks about the danger. A focusing on how things look on the outside instead of the real change happening on the inside. It's so easy to get caught up in trying to look perfect, trying to impress people with what we've accomplished, instead of focusing on what's really changing in our hearts.
[00:10:58] Speaker A: That's a big stumbling block for a lot of us, especially now with social media and all these images of perfection being thrown at us constantly.
[00:11:05] Speaker B: It's like we're all trying to create this perfect version of ourselves online.
But underneath it all, we're still wrestling with the same insecurities, fears and brokenness.
[00:11:15] Speaker A: And that's why Glenn's message is so different from what the world tells us. He's telling us to drop the act, embrace our flaws, and let God do his work in us.
[00:11:24] Speaker B: That's a radical message, but it's also incredibly freeing. It means we don't have to pretend anymore. We can finally be ourselves, brokenness and all.
[00:11:32] Speaker A: And it's in those moments of vulnerability when we stop hiding and let ourselves be seen, that we experience the deepest connection, both with God and with each other.
[00:11:42] Speaker B: This has been such a great conversation We've talked about the power of meekness, the importance of being close to God, the role of community, and the danger of focusing on outward appearances. Anything else we should cover before we finish our deep dive into Glenn's teaching on brokenness?
[00:11:56] Speaker A: There's one more thing he talks about, like the importance of actually putting this brokenness into practice.
[00:12:03] Speaker B: That's a good point. It's one thing to understand it all in our heads, but how do we actually live it out in our daily lives?
[00:12:10] Speaker A: Right. Like, it's easy to talk about, but real life is messy. You know, we have jobs and relationships and bills to pay.
How does this brokenness thing fit in with all that?
[00:12:19] Speaker B: Exactly. So does Glenn give any examples of what this looks like? Practically, yeah.
[00:12:24] Speaker A: He gives some really down to earth examples of how brokenness plays out in different areas of life. One that sticks with me is how we deal with difficult people.
[00:12:32] Speaker B: Oh, man, don't get me started. We all know those people, the ones who push our buttons, test our patience, maybe even bring out the worst in us.
[00:12:40] Speaker A: And our natural reaction is usually to get defensive, fight back, or try to prove them wrong. But brokenness, it. It calls for a different response.
[00:12:49] Speaker B: So you saying we should just let people walk all over us, become doormats?
[00:12:52] Speaker A: No, no, not at all. It's not about being passive or letting people mistreat us. It's about responding with grace and humility, even when it' yeah, that's tough. Yeah.
[00:13:02] Speaker B: How do we strike that balance between sticking up for ourselves and still living out this brokenness that Glenn talks about?
[00:13:09] Speaker A: Well, I think it starts with changing our perspective. Instead of seeing that difficult person as the enemy, try to see them as another broken person. We're all struggling in different ways, carrying our own burdens, you know, so it's.
[00:13:20] Speaker B: About recognizing their humanity, their own brokenness.
[00:13:22] Speaker A: Exactly. It doesn't excuse their behavior, of course, but it helps us have compassion. And from that place of compassion, we can choose a different way to respond.
[00:13:32] Speaker B: Makes sense. It's like taking the focus off ourselves and our need to be right and instead trying to understand where they're coming from.
[00:13:40] Speaker A: Right. And that understanding can open the door to forgiveness, to extending grace, even when it doesn't feel deserved.
[00:13:46] Speaker B: Okay, so brokenness can help us with difficult relationships, but what about other parts of life, like our work, finances, ambitions?
[00:13:54] Speaker A: Remember that warhorse analogy? Well, imagine that powerful, trained warhorse, completely under the control of its master. In the same way, a broken person is no longer driven by ego or the need to prove themselves. Their main focus shifts to Serving God and others.
[00:14:11] Speaker B: So it's not about climbing the corporate ladder or chasing after success.
[00:14:14] Speaker A: In the world's eyes, those things might still be part of their life, but they're not what drives them anymore. Their identity is rooted in Christ, not in achievements or possessions.
[00:14:25] Speaker B: That's a big shift in thinking, especially these days when we're constantly told to hustle harder, achieve more, make more money.
[00:14:32] Speaker A: It definitely goes against the grain, but it's a message of freedom. You know, letting go of the pressure to perform and finding our true worth in who we are, not what we do.
[00:14:43] Speaker B: So if we're not striving for success the way the world defines it, then what are we striving for?
[00:14:48] Speaker A: We're striving to become more like Christmas, seeking his kingdom first, trusting that everything else will fall into place. It's about lining up our priorities with God's priorities.
[00:14:58] Speaker B: That sounds a little idealistic. We still have to live in the real world, pay bills, deal with everyday life.
[00:15:03] Speaker A: Oh, absolutely. It's not about neglecting our responsibilities or being irresponsible. It's more like a shift in our internal compass, a rearranging of our priorities.
[00:15:11] Speaker B: Okay, I think I'm starting to see how this all works. But how do we actually live that out? How do we keep our focus on God's kingdom when we're bombarded with so many other things?
[00:15:21] Speaker A: It takes being intentional. We have to constantly check our motives, ask ourselves, why am I doing this? Is it for my glory or for God's glory? It's a continuous process of surrender.
[00:15:32] Speaker B: That's such a simple question, but it really makes you think. And I bet the answer isn't always black and white.
[00:15:37] Speaker A: Rarely is. But the more we practice that kind of self reflection, the more sensitive we become to God's voice, to his guidance in our lives.
[00:15:45] Speaker B: It's like peeling back those layers of ego and discovering what God truly wants for us.
[00:15:50] Speaker A: That's a beautiful way to put it. And it's a journey full of surprises. Because as we surrender to God's shaping, we often discover these talents, gifts and passions we never even knew we had.
[00:16:00] Speaker B: This whole conversation has really changed my perspective on brokenness. It's not about being weak or defeated, but surrendering to a power much bigger than ourselves.
[00:16:09] Speaker A: And in that surrender, that's where we find true freedom. We're not weighed down by the need to prove ourselves or the fear of messing up. We can rest knowing that we are loved, accepted and empowered by the God who created us.
[00:16:23] Speaker B: It's like trading in this small self centered way of living for a life that's full of purpose and meaning.
[00:16:29] Speaker A: And that's the amazing thing about brokenness. It's through letting go that we truly find ourselves our true identity in Christ.
[00:16:37] Speaker B: Glenn Blakeney's teaching on brokenness has really opened our eyes today. It's challenged our ideas about strength and weakness, success and failure.
[00:16:45] Speaker A: It's reminded us that true strength is found in surrender, and true fulfillment comes from aligning our hearts with God's heart.
[00:16:51] Speaker B: And it's left us with this question to think about. What shall my God be wanting to break in your life right now? What treasures could be released if you were willing to burst open to his transforming power?
[00:17:03] Speaker A: Join the community by subscribing for
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