Embracing Brokenness: Letting God Transform Our Lives
Summary
The journey of serving among Arab Muslims in the San Francisco Bay Area has been deeply shaped by a personal encounter with God’s holiness and the realization of humanity’s shared brokenness. Reflecting on Isaiah 6:5-7, the vision of Isaiah before the throne of God reveals the devastating weight of living life on our own terms—defining good and evil for ourselves, even with the best intentions. Isaiah’s cry, “Woe is me! I am a man of unclean lips,” is not just a personal lament but a recognition that all people, regardless of background, are plagued by the same condition: the pain and destruction that come from not letting God be God in our lives.
This insight is especially poignant when considering the Arab community, where the vast majority have never heard the gospel. Many are caught in systems—whether Islam, Catholicism, or Orthodoxy—that emphasize effort, obedience, and ritual as the means to acceptance. Yet, the gospel proclaims something radically different: our guilt is taken away, and our sin is atoned for, not by our striving, but by God’s initiative in Christ. Romans 5:8 reminds us that God’s love is demonstrated in that “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” This is the message that brings true freedom and transformation.
Personal stories from ministry illustrate the power of this gospel. When individuals grasp that Jesus is the answer, their lives are changed, and they become agents of hope in their communities—even in the face of cultural pressures and the demands of daily life. The challenge remains: how do we help people move from self-reliance to dependence on God? One practical step has been the development of a gospel-centered daily planner, designed to help believers see God’s purpose in every aspect of their lives.
Ultimately, the pain we feel from not letting God be God is not just our own; it connects us to the pain of those around us. This shared experience can become the bridge for genuine ministry and mission. The invitation is to let God be God, to trust in the finished work of Christ, and to allow our own brokenness to foster compassion for others. In doing so, we participate in God’s redemptive work, both in our own hearts and in the world.
Key Takeaways
- Recognizing our own brokenness before God is the starting point for genuine transformation. Isaiah’s encounter with God’s holiness led him to see not only his own sin but also the shared plight of his people. True humility comes from acknowledging that we cannot define or fix ourselves apart from God’s grace. [47:16]
- Living “as we see fit” is a burden too heavy for anyone to bear. When we insist on self-definition and self-reliance, we inevitably hurt ourselves and those we love, even when our intentions are good. The freedom of the gospel is found in surrendering control and letting God be the one who defines and directs our lives. [51:40]
- The gospel is not about religious performance or moral achievement, but about receiving God’s atonement. Systems that emphasize works—whether in Islam, Catholicism, or Orthodoxy—leave people striving for acceptance. In contrast, the gospel offers rest: our guilt is taken away, and our sin is atoned for by Christ alone. [57:41]
- Transformation happens when people encounter the love of Christ in the midst of their brokenness. Stories of changed lives among Arab young adults show that when the gospel is understood and embraced, it leads to new purpose, bold witness, and a desire to share hope with others—even in difficult circumstances. [01:01:30]
- Our own pain and struggles can become the bridge to understanding and ministering to others. When we allow God to meet us in our “woe,” we gain empathy for the pain of those around us. Letting God be God in our lives is not just for our own healing, but equips us to bring the message of hope to a hurting world. [01:07:56]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[37:51] - Introduction and Mission Calling
[38:42] - Family and Personal Background
[39:57] - Beginning the Journey: Lebanon
[43:19] - The Arab Plight and Gospel Burden
[44:28] - Isaiah 6:5-7: Encountering God’s Holiness
[46:05] - Prayer for God’s Agenda
[47:16] - The Weight of Self-Definition
[48:52] - Personal Story: Growing Up in Church
[49:44] - The Dangers of Self-Reliance
[51:40] - Family, Work, and the Cost of “As I See Fit”
[53:07] - The Gospel vs. Religion
[54:29] - The Spiritual State of the Arab World
[56:10] - The Need for Gospel Witness
[57:41] - The Power of Atonement
[58:52] - The Transformative Gospel
[01:01:30] - Stories of Changed Lives
[01:04:39] - Challenges in Discipleship
[01:06:02] - Developing Gospel-Centered Tools
[01:07:02] - Invitation to Partner
[01:07:56] - Pain as a Bridge for Ministry
[01:09:05] - Letting God Be God
[01:09:48] - Final Reflections and Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
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### Bible Reading
- Isaiah 6:5-7
Then I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!” Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.”
- Romans 5:8
But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
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### Observation Questions
1. In Isaiah’s vision, what is his immediate reaction when he sees the Lord? What does he say about himself and his people? (Isaiah 6:5)
2. According to the sermon, what does the phrase “a man of unclean lips” mean for Isaiah and for us today? [[44:28]]
3. What does the seraphim do for Isaiah, and what does this action represent? (Isaiah 6:6-7)
4. How does Romans 5:8 describe God’s love and initiative toward us? How is this different from religious striving? [[57:41]]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Isaiah’s encounter with God’s holiness lead him to recognize not just his own sin, but also the shared brokenness of his people? [[47:16]]
2. The sermon mentions that “living as we see fit” is a burden too heavy for anyone to bear. What are some ways this burden shows up in our daily lives? [[51:40]]
3. How does the gospel’s message of atonement and grace contrast with systems that emphasize effort, obedience, and ritual for acceptance? [[57:41]]
4. The speaker shared stories of transformation among Arab young adults. What role does understanding the gospel play in changing someone’s life and purpose? [[01:01:30]]
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### Application Questions
1. Isaiah’s first response to God’s holiness was to admit his own brokenness. When was the last time you honestly admitted your own “unclean lips” or areas where you fall short? What happened as a result? [[44:28]]
2. The sermon talks about the pain and destruction that come from not letting God be God in our lives. Can you think of a specific area where you have tried to define good and evil for yourself? What was the outcome? [[47:16]]
3. The message contrasts self-reliance with dependence on God. In what area of your life do you find it hardest to surrender control to God? What would it look like to let God be God in that area this week? [[51:40]]
4. The gospel offers rest from striving for acceptance. Are there ways you are still trying to “earn” God’s love or approval through your actions? How can you remind yourself of the truth of Romans 5:8? [[57:41]]
5. The speaker mentioned developing a gospel-centered daily planner to help people see God’s purpose in every part of life. What is one practical step you could take to invite God into your daily routines? [[01:06:02]]
6. The sermon suggests that our own pain can help us connect with others who are hurting. Is there a struggle or pain in your life that could become a bridge to minister to someone else? Who might that person be? [[01:07:56]]
7. The invitation is to let God be God and trust in Christ’s finished work. What is one area where you need to stop striving and start trusting this week? How can the group support you in this? [[01:09:05]]
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Devotional
Day 1: True Encounter with God Reveals Our Brokenness
When Isaiah saw the Lord, he was immediately struck by his own unworthiness and the depth of his sin, crying out, "Woe is me! I am a man of unclean lips." This moment of honest self-awareness is not about religious performance or outward goodness, but about recognizing how far we fall short when we try to define life on our own terms. It is only in the presence of God that we truly see ourselves and our need for His mercy, and this realization is the first step toward transformation. [47:16]
Isaiah 6:5-7 (ESV)
And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!” Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.”
Reflection: When was the last time you allowed yourself to be completely honest before God about your brokenness? What would it look like to bring your unfiltered self to Him today?
Day 2: Self-Defined Living Hurts Ourselves and Others
Trying to live "as we see fit" may seem natural, but it places a burden on us that we were never meant to carry. When we make ourselves the ultimate authority—deciding what is best for ourselves and those around us—we inevitably hurt ourselves and those we love, even when we are trying our best. This way of living is exhausting and isolating, and it keeps us from experiencing the freedom that comes from letting God be God in our lives. [51:40]
Proverbs 14:12 (ESV)
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.
Reflection: In what area of your life are you insisting on your own way, and how has that affected you or those around you? What would it mean to surrender that area to God’s wisdom today?
Day 3: Salvation Is Not Earned by Effort but Received by Grace
Many religious systems teach that salvation comes through obedience, good works, or participation in rituals, but the gospel proclaims something radically different: we are not saved by our own efforts, but by the atoning work of Christ. Our guilt is taken away, not because we have earned it, but because God, in His love, has provided a way through Jesus. This truth brings freedom from the pressure to perform and invites us to rest in God’s finished work. [57:41]
Romans 5:8 (ESV)
But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Reflection: Are you still trying to earn God’s approval through your actions? How can you rest in the truth that your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for by Christ alone?
Day 4: Transformation Flows from Letting God Be God
When people truly grasp the gospel and let God be God in their lives, real transformation happens. Stories of changed lives—like the young woman who found Jesus and began sharing her faith, or the young man who moved from religious routine to gospel conversations—show that the gospel’s power is not just for personal comfort but for mission and witness. Letting God be God means stepping into His purpose and allowing Him to use your story to impact others. [01:02:24]
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
Reflection: Where have you seen God transform your life or the lives of others when you surrendered control to Him? What step of faith can you take today to let God use your story?
Day 5: Understanding Our Own Pain Opens Us to Others’ Needs
Recognizing the pain that comes from not letting God be God in our own lives can help us empathize with the struggles of those around us. This understanding fuels compassion and mission, reminding us that the solution to our pain—and the pain of the world—is to let God be God. As you reflect on your own journey, consider how your story can bridge the gap to someone else who needs hope and healing. [01:07:56]
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (ESV)
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
Reflection: Who in your life might be experiencing the same kind of pain you have known? How can you reach out to them with empathy and the comfort you have received from God?
Quotes
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