Are You Broken?

Psalms 51: 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise .


A broken spirit, when I first read that I thought, why does God want me broken?  Then He brought to my mind some of my favorite shows and movies as I was growing up.  I was a big western fan.  I remembered seeing the wild horses, the independent spirits that it would look like no one could tame.  Then a big, gentle cowboy would begin to talk to the horse.  He would calm him, he would pet him, he would usually feed him sugar or apples or some other treat. 


As the horse calmed down, the cowboy would gently slip a rope over his head and get him used to be led, next would be a bridle to teach the horse to take direction.  After a lot of patience a blanket would go on the horse's back and finally a saddle.  At this point the cowboy would ease onto the horse, who would show his last stand of independence trying to throw the cowboy off.


Once the horse was broken he and the cowboy would be inseparable.  The cowboy loved his horse, the horse loved him.  Sound familiar?  Does it remind you of what it took for you to come to know the love of God?  Once the cowboy broke the horse, he provided for him.  He fed him, provided him a stable and kept him groomed.  Just the way God takes care of us.


We are wild, independent, stubborn and God works slowing, patiently and breaks that part of us so that He can take care of us.  When we are bucking, running, pawing the air God cannot give us the love we need.  But once we are broken, we can nuzzle up next to Him and He will feed and comfort us.