Feeling Broken and Extinguished?

"This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:

'Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight;

I will put my Spirit on Him, and He will proclaim justice to the nations.

He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear His voice in the streets.

A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not snuff out,

till He has brought justice through to victory.

In His name the nations will put their hope.'” Matthew 12:17-21

REFLECTION

by Mary Alice McGinnis

Have you ever considered why you were born? Why are you living in this time and place? And what about the experiences of your life? How do all the pieces fit together?  

I struggle sometimes to see the “WHY” behind my life. In my pursuit of significance, I find myself looking for a way to fill the void. The neediness in my heart sets things in motion that leave me feeling like a broken reed - weak, entrapped and powerless. The empty things I chase after – success, approval, the fleeting things of this world - leave me feeling like an extinguished wick, with no real substance.  

Jesus reminded me today, as He quoted from the book Isaiah, 

“A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not snuff out, till he has brought justice through to victory.” 

I get it! It seems too good to be true. I often question, “God, how could you possibly restore what is broken in me? How is it possible that you could relight the flame of hope and dreams that once burned bright in my heart?”   

Jesus values those of us who feel broken beyond repair, like a bruised reed. He came to breathe life into us again. Even when we feel as useless as a smoking wick—unable to give off light and fulfill our purpose—Jesus meets us right there in our weakness. He drenches us with the oil of His love to help us burn bright once again.  

While practicing a mixed martial arts motion in my home gym this morning, something hit me. I circled an imaginary sword over my head and thrust it diagonally downward through the air - across my body. In that moment, I felt the Holy Spirit lighting up my heart.  

The Michael W. Smith’s song, “Breathe in Me” kept playing in my mind.

"So breathe in me I need you now.

I've never felt so dead within.

 So breathe in me

Maybe somehow 

You can breathe new life 

In me again."

As I breathed through this movement, I sensed the Holy Spirit igniting hope within me, reminding me “to fan into flame the gift of God” (2 Timothy 1:6) 

In that moment of quiet reflection, I felt God speak to my heart:

“Take up the sword I have placed in your hands. Go out and seek others who have also felt dead and broken. Use my Words, which have guided and comforted you, to speak life into the lives of others.”   

Where are you feeling broken and dead inside? Let the Holy Spirit breathe into you right now. Maybe you have come through seasons of darkness and turmoil. Where is God asking you to “fan into flame the gift of God” given to you?  

Prayer – Use me as Your humbled warrior to enliven the hearts of those who feel broken and useless, just as You once revived my own spirit when I felt lost and overwhelmed. Let my words and actions reflect Your compassion and strength, knowing that it is only through Your power and guidance that true healing and hope can be restored in others. Help me to share the comfort and renewal I have received from You, so that others might also experience Your life-giving love.