My cell phone began twinkling its 6:30am tune—the bright, cheery jingle a stark contrast to the heavy dark of early morning and the even heavier weight of a night devoid of sleep. A sick toddler and an uncomfortable sofa left me running on empty. I found myself wishing I still used a regular alarm clock, simply for the satisfaction of slamming my fist down on the snooze to express my displeasure. Stiffly and begrudgingly I rolled off the couch and, in a robotic, detached fashion, started the morning routine.
"I don't want to get up. I don't want to make breakfast. I don't want to do all the things I need to do today..." My mental list of "don't want to's" was growing by the minute. I felt poured out, frustrated, and trapped by the daily domestic grind. My prayers for healing and rest seemed to go unanswered, and I had nothing left to give.
Scripture refers to Jesus as the cornerstone on which the church is built. I've often read this passage and seen the need to have Jesus as my foundation, but completely missed an important truth nestled within its imagery: "Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed."
It's easy to pass over these words directed to the Pharisees and miss the application for Jesus' followers, but notice there are two types of people mentioned in the passage: the ones who fall on the stone, and those on whom it falls. The ones the stone falls on are those who reject Jesus, and are ultimately crushed at the coming of His judgment.
But we, as Christ's chosen people, are those who fall on Him—He is our Rock, our Foundation! But do not miss this: we will be broken in doing so. Broken of our pride, of our self-will, of our very lives. So what does this all have to do with sleepless nights and wailing toddlers and the daily grind? I'm glad you asked.
You see, I find myself looking for a great, grandiose gesture with which to display my devotion to Christ. I take the principle of laying down my life for Him and blow it up into some glamorous, self-glorifying, egocentric "thing-I'm-gonna-do-for-Jesus". But the true test of self-sacrifice often comes in small, humble packages. Caring for stuffy-nosed three-year-olds at 2:30 in the morning. Getting up to serve when we'd rather stay in bed and be served. Living day in and day out focused on those around us when all we really want is to focus on ourselves.
And can we be honest for a minute? Being broken hurts. It's not fun, it's never easy, and we rarely come to it willingly. But look at what else the Bible says about us broken, busted up stones: "...the one who trusts in Him will never be put to shame" (1 Peter 2:6). Jesus promises to take our broken pieces and build us into a new creation, a dwelling for His Spirit, a holy people! He will put us back together in His likeness and for His glory! So let's fall on Him today, sweet sisters and brothers, and trust Him to pick up the pieces...
Lord, the path you call us to is not easy. Even as you walked the road of sorrow, of shame, of sacrifice, so we too are called to take up our crosses and follow You. When so much of the world around us encourages us to seek self-satisfaction, You whisper gently, "Seek self-sacrifice. I have set you an example—follow it, and I will strengthen you in the midst of it..." We fall on You today, Jesus! Sweetly broken, humbly surrendered... Take our pieces and make us into something new! Amen.
Reflection Questions
- In the midst of a culture that constantly focuses on and builds up the foundation of "self", how can we learn to recognize and embrace the opportunities Christ brings to break that foundation and build on Him and His sacrifice instead?
- How have you seen God break various vestiges of your self-will in the past year?
- When you find yourself poured out with nothing left to give, where do you turn? What are some practical ways you can seek to be filled by Christ in those moments rather than by people or circumstances?