Transforming Brokenness: Surrendering to God's Will
Summary
Standing on the football field where I spent countless Saturdays playing tackle football, I am reminded of a pivotal moment in my life. This field, a place of camaraderie and competition, also became the site of a life-altering injury. During a game, I intercepted a pass and was tackled, resulting in a severe leg injury. As I lay there, I vividly remember surrendering to God with the words, "Not my will but thy will be done." This injury, though painful and challenging, became a turning point in my life. It was a moment where my story was rewritten, redirecting me towards a calling in ministry.
This personal experience serves as a powerful metaphor for the brokenness we see in our world today. Our nation, communities, families, and individual lives often feel fractured and in need of healing. Yet, just as God mended my broken leg and set me on a new path, He is capable of resetting the breaks in our lives. No matter how severe the damage, God can restore us, lift us up, and guide us towards a new destiny with renewed purpose and impact.
This message is a testament to the transformative power of faith and the hope that God offers to those who feel broken. It is a reminder that even in our darkest moments, there is potential for a new beginning. God is in the business of rewriting stories, and He can take the broken pieces of our lives and create something beautiful and purposeful.
Key Takeaways:
1. Surrendering to God's Will: In moments of crisis, surrendering to God's will can lead to profound transformation. When I lay injured on the field, my prayer of surrender marked the beginning of a new direction in my life. Trusting in God's plan, even when it involves pain, can lead to unexpected blessings and a deeper sense of purpose. [00:20]
2. God's Ability to Rewrite Stories: Just as my injury redirected my life towards ministry, God has the power to rewrite our stories. When we face brokenness, it is an opportunity for God to intervene and guide us towards a new path. Our setbacks can become setups for a greater destiny. [00:53]
3. Healing for a Broken World: Our world is filled with brokenness, but God is the ultimate healer. He can reset the fractures in our lives, communities, and nations. By placing our trust in Him, we can experience restoration and renewal, no matter how dire the situation seems. [01:28]
4. The Power of Testimony: Sharing personal stories of God's intervention can inspire others to seek His healing. My experience on the football field is a testament to God's ability to transform brokenness into purpose. Our testimonies can serve as beacons of hope for those in need of a new beginning. [00:53]
5. Embracing New Destinies: When God resets the breaks in our lives, He often leads us to new and impactful destinies. Embracing these new paths requires faith and courage, but it also brings the opportunity to make a significant difference in the world. Trusting in God's guidance can lead to a life of profound impact and fulfillment. [01:28]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:20] - A Life-Altering Injury
[00:53] - A New Direction in Ministry
[01:28] - Healing for a Broken World
[01:50] - The Power of Testimony
[02:10] - Embracing New Destinies
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Luke 22:42 - "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."
2. Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
3. Romans 8:28 - "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
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Observation Questions:
1. What was the pivotal moment on the football field that led to a change in the pastor's life direction? [00:20]
2. How did the pastor describe the state of his leg after the injury, and what was his immediate response to God? [00:20]
3. What metaphor does the pastor use to describe the brokenness in our world, and how does he relate it to his personal experience? [01:28]
4. How does the pastor's story serve as a testament to God's ability to transform brokenness into purpose? [00:53]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the pastor's prayer of surrender on the football field reflect the prayer of Jesus in Luke 22:42? What does this say about the role of surrender in moments of crisis? [00:20]
2. In what ways does the pastor's story illustrate the message of Jeremiah 29:11 about God's plans for our lives?
3. How can Romans 8:28 be seen in the pastor's experience of injury and subsequent calling to ministry?
4. What does the pastor mean when he says that God can "reset the breaks" in our lives, and how does this relate to the concept of healing in a broken world? [01:28]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you faced a personal crisis. How did you respond, and what role did faith play in that moment? [00:20]
2. The pastor's injury led to a new direction in his life. Can you identify a setback in your life that eventually led to a positive change or new opportunity? How did you perceive God's hand in that situation? [00:53]
3. Our world is filled with brokenness. What is one area in your community or personal life where you see a need for healing, and how can you be a part of that healing process? [01:28]
4. The pastor emphasizes the power of testimony. Is there a personal story of God's intervention in your life that you can share with others to inspire hope and faith? [00:53]
5. Embracing new destinies requires faith and courage. What is one new path or opportunity you feel God is leading you towards, and what steps can you take to pursue it with confidence? [01:28]
6. How can you practice surrendering to God's will in your daily life, especially in situations where you feel out of control or uncertain? [00:20]
7. Identify a specific way you can trust in God's plan for your life this week, even if it involves stepping out of your comfort zone. What support or resources do you need to take that step?
Devotional
Day 1: Surrendering to Divine Guidance
In moments of crisis, surrendering to God's will can lead to profound transformation. When faced with unexpected challenges, it is natural to feel overwhelmed and uncertain. However, choosing to trust in God's plan, even when it involves pain, can lead to unexpected blessings and a deeper sense of purpose. This act of surrender is not about giving up but about opening oneself to the possibility of divine intervention and guidance. By letting go of our own desires and embracing God's will, we allow Him to work in our lives in ways we could never imagine. [00:20]
Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Day 2: The Divine Rewrite
God has the power to rewrite our stories, turning moments of brokenness into opportunities for growth and new direction. When life takes an unexpected turn, it can feel like a setback. However, these moments can be the very catalysts that God uses to redirect our paths towards a greater destiny. By trusting in His ability to transform our lives, we open ourselves to the possibility of a future filled with purpose and impact. Our setbacks can become setups for a greater destiny, as God intervenes and guides us towards a new path. [00:53]
Jeremiah 18:4 (ESV): "And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter's hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do."
Reflection: Think of a time when a setback in your life led to an unexpected opportunity. How can you apply this perspective to a current challenge you are facing?
Day 3: Healing the Fractures
Our world is filled with brokenness, but God is the ultimate healer. He can reset the fractures in our lives, communities, and nations. By placing our trust in Him, we can experience restoration and renewal, no matter how dire the situation seems. God's healing power is not limited to physical ailments; it extends to emotional, relational, and spiritual wounds as well. In a world that often feels fractured and in need of healing, God's ability to restore and renew offers hope and assurance. [01:28]
Psalm 147:3 (ESV): "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."
Reflection: Identify a specific area in your life or community that feels broken. How can you invite God's healing into this situation today?
Day 4: The Impact of Testimony
Sharing personal stories of God's intervention can inspire others to seek His healing. Our testimonies serve as beacons of hope for those in need of a new beginning. By openly sharing how God has transformed our brokenness into purpose, we can encourage others to trust in His ability to do the same in their lives. Testimonies are powerful tools that can break down barriers and open hearts to the possibility of divine intervention and transformation. [00:53]
1 Peter 3:15 (ESV): "But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect."
Reflection: Reflect on a personal experience where you witnessed God's intervention. How can you share this testimony with someone who might need encouragement today?
Day 5: Embracing New Paths
When God resets the breaks in our lives, He often leads us to new and impactful destinies. Embracing these new paths requires faith and courage, but it also brings the opportunity to make a significant difference in the world. Trusting in God's guidance can lead to a life of profound impact and fulfillment. As we step into these new roles and responsibilities, we are called to be vessels of His love and grace, impacting those around us in meaningful ways. [01:28]
Isaiah 43:19 (ESV): "Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."
Reflection: What new path or opportunity is God presenting to you right now? How can you step out in faith to embrace this new direction?
Quotes
I can clearly remember saying to God, "Not my will but thy will be done." And it was bad. I could see it, the way my leg was snapped in two. And I also knew that there had to be a spiritual reason for it. My story was rewritten. My direction one way was totally changed, but it also confirmed another direction for my life—a direction and calling for ministry. [00:36:55]
He rewrote my story. And there are a lot of lives today who need a new story because things have been broken. But I'm living testimony, standing here on this football field that I love so much, that God can take the breaks in life and repair them. Our nation is broken, our communities are broken, families are broken, lives are broken, but God is able to reset breaks and get you back up on your feet again. [00:59:27]
No matter how bad something's broken, God knows how to reset it, pick you up again, and send you in a new place with a new impact for a new destiny. [00:88:50]
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