A Broken Birch
Hi Friends,
I am writing about obedience and brokenness. What is it that God expects from us? Are we doing as he asks, or are we going our own way? This is a two part vision that describes two entirely different people. One that is self-willed and insubordinate to God, and the other who through faith and perseverance gives his all to The Lord. Are we fully submitted to God or are we doing our own thing?
This is a two part vision:
First I see a person sitting at a table. He is cutting colorful paper into tiny pieces, like confetti. There is a voice that asks the person, “Are you doing what you were asked to do?” Without looking up the person replies, “Yes, I am.” But it does not appear that the person is accomplishing anything important.
Next I see a birch tree whose top most branches were broken off and dangling. Apparently, there were high winds or possibly a lightning strike causing the tree to break. The top is upside-down and held up by the branches just beneath them. It must be winter for there are no leaves on the tree.
This is what I believe the vision means:
Cutting Confetti
The person at the table with a pair of scissors cutting confetti is busy, completely engrossed in what he is doing. He wears a knitted cap, even though he is indoors. He was apparently given instructions by someone and responds to the question “Are you doing what you were asked to do?,” by saying “Yes. I am.”
The person is not doing what he was asked to do, otherwise no one would have questioned him. Anyone would see or know that he had already completed the task, if it were so. The person in the vision either has a problem in procrastination, or does not intend to do the work. He offers a quick response just to get the person to leave him alone. This person does not really respect the request or command to do the work, otherwise he would have gotten up right away. He would have apologized for not getting to the work earlier. Basically what we see is the avoidance of responsibility, the lack of respect for authority, and willfulness to continue what he wanted to do. He is displaying disobedience and possibly rebellion.
The fact that he wears a hat while inside, shows that he is in defiance of authority. Just this week while in court, the bailiff called out, “Gentleman, remove your hats and hoodies, All rise for the Honorable Judge____ . Court is now in session.”
In the vision, the voice calling the person into account, I believe represents the Lord. The Lord knows all things. Nothing is hidden from him. Sometimes, he asks the obvious question because he wants to hear our response. Will we respond in humble submission with an apology and a promise to do better? Or will we respond with an uncaring, “I can’t be bothered,” tone, or with a lie, as the person in the vision did.
In the Book of Genesis, there is a story of disobedience: After the fall of Adam and Eve, Cain, their second son, killed his brother Able, over jealousy. Abel’s sacrifice was accepted, by God, but Cain’s was not. Cain did not offer the blood sacrifice that was required, but gave the Lord an offering of his grain instead. Cain thought his sacrifice was “good enough.”
In order to please God, he would have had to purchase an animal from Abel with the grain that he had grown. I am sure that he felt that God had rejected his sacrifice unfairly. Since the grain represents his hard work, he felt that it should have been accepted.
The Lord was gentle with Cain, wanting him to conform. “The the Lord said to Cain, ‘Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at the door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.’” Genesis 4:6-7
Cain chose to not do as the Lord asked, but instead he killed his brother.
God asked a question of Cain, already knowing the facts:
“Where is your brother Abel?”
“I don’t know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” Genesis 4:9
In the vision, I knew that the person was not telling the truth when he replied, “Yes. I am.” He was not doing the Lord’s will. He instead willfully continued to do what he wanted to do.
We as Christians, can do as we please, and think that God doesn’t care.
Since God’s judgment is not always immediate, people do not fear God. With a complacent attitude, they do whatever pleases themselves. They rationalize: “It’s okay. I go to church once in a while, so that works for me. I would rather spend my time doing ________.”
These “Christians,” are sadly mistaken. Everything, every thought and every deed will be brought into the light. We will all be held accountable. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us, for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” 2 Corinthians 5:10
Of course, our salvation is not based on works, but on a true faith and devotion to the Lord. Our love for him should bring a desire within us to respond in obedience. Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” John 14:15
We show our love by obeying what he teaches and what he commands. And what does the Lord command? He answers a similar question:
“One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, ‘ Of all the commandments, which is the most important?’
“‘The most important one,’ answered Jesus, ‘is this: “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:28-31
Complacency is not a trait that the Lord admires when it come to our relationship with him: “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm — neither hot nor cold — I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” Revelations 3:15-16
The Broken Birch
The birch tree is covered in white bark with black scars. The tree represents the true believer, one who has given himself to the Lord. The top of the tree has undergone some type of trauma. The top is still somewhat attached, but only with a few wood fibers. The branches from the top of the tree are entangled and supported by the lower branches, otherwise the sheer weight of the top, would have caused it to fall to the ground.
The tree top is broken. The person or believer that the tree represents is also broken. What does it really mean, to be broken? This is something we don’t often discuss. I wasn’t really sure what characteristics describe a broken person.
It is not the same thing as a broken heart, for if it were, the person would need to be mended. But to be broken is a blessed thing, not needing to be changed. I spent much time reading and looking up scriptures, and praying to understand. What I have come to believe is this: a person who is broken is fully submitted to God. He no longer identifies with his independent nature, but identifies with the Lord and his nature.
As we think of a horse who has been broken, we see that the horse no longer bucks and attempts to throw the rider to the ground. Once the horse fails to rid himself of the rider, he gives up the fight. He relinquishes control to the rider, and now in full submission, will take the rider wherever he wants to go. He will stop when commanded and he will turn when he is told. The horse does not balk. He willingly accepts the bridle and the saddle.
It is becoming more common in our culture, to see people who are rebellious, even in the workplace. People are more demanding of their personal rights, and do not fully submit to their authorities. In everyday life where one has a choice whether to submit or not, the general response is “It depends, maybe if I feel like it.”
A broken horse eventually trusts the rider to protect him, to lead him, and keep him from harm. This is the way the Lord wants to lead us. He is the loving master and we are his obedient servants. (We are the Lord’s bride, and he calls us friend too.) But we serve him, because we love him and we trust him.
How are we broken?
I believe we are broken as we mature in the Lord. If we have been radically saved from a lifestyle of sin, we may have already experienced a breaking. When I re-dedicated my life to the Lord, was delivered of a demonic spirit and baptized in the Holy Spirit, all on a single weekend, I was radically saved. I spent hours everyday in prayer, reading the Bible, and crying tears of love and thankfulness. I was so grateful that the Lord came to my rescue and set me free of an oppressive spirit. I was so thankful to finally feel that my relationship with the Lord was restored. This is a real breaking away from the world and its values, and clinging to God. But as we mature, there is a deepening in our commitment to him. Our trust in God increases as we experience his presence and his faithfulness.
In the vision, the tree’s black marks are scars whose wounds have healed. Everywhere a branch falls off, a scar forms. In a believer’s life the scars are created through trials and difficulties. Each time, a trial comes our way, we have a choice. We can do things our own way, just to get by. Or we can seek God for his help, for his guidance, favor, wisdom and strength. When we seek him, he helps us to overcome. As we experience his faithfulness, we begin to see things from his perspective and to understand him more.
James speaks of the trials of life as being the very purpose of God. “Consider it joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4
Suffering is the Lord’s plan to form us into his image. “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Romans 5:3-4
We know that in some people, suffering can produce anger, resentment and bitterness. These are the fruits of the natural person who has experienced abuse and mistreatment. But when we suffer for the name of Jesus, the results are quite different. It is only natural that we would flee from insults and abuse, or that we would return an insult with an insult. But as children of God, we are not to respond in this manner. When we have been born again and filled with the Holy Spirit, we are to “turn the other cheek.”
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus speaks to his followers: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take you tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.” Matthew 5:38-42
Jesus expects that as Christians, we will experience persecution. “If the world hates you, understand that it hated me first.” John 15:18 How we react and what we do, can decide whether we continue following him, or fall away.
In the parable of The Sower, Jesus speaks of the seed that falls on rocky soil: “The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away.” Matthew 13:20-21
Persecution is a test of our faith.
As I considered what it meant to be broken, I realized that persecution is certainly a test for brokenness. I thought to myself, what persecution have I experienced? What tests have I under gone? What would I not be willing to do for the Lord if he asks? We have not been beaten, or whipped, or scourged. Can God take me though this kind of trial? Am I willing to go through physical pain? We have not been tested in this way, as yet. So I asked myself, “Am I really broken?”
The Lord said to me one day while I was in prayer, “I keep my angels around you, but you go your own way.” And now I ask myself again, “Why, O why, do I have to go my own way? Why is my will so hard to get under control? Why do I want to call the shots? Why do I want it my way?”
Well, I believe this is God’s desire - for each of us to examine ourselves: Are we broken? The apostles faced trials, dangers, tremendous pain and suffering, and yet did not deny Jesus as Lord. They were broken. They did as the Lord asked, without concern for themselves. They identified with the Lord’s sufferings: “The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.” Acts 5:41-42
To be broken, means to do whatever the Lord asks of us. We are no longer the boss. We are not calling the shots. We allow the Holy Spirit to lead us wherever he will take us. “You are not your own, for you were bought with a price.” 1 Corinthians 5:19-20
We in the American church, have never really suffered as they did in the early church. But I believe that the Lord wants us to be prepared.
There is much political heat right now with people taking their stands. On the surface it may seem simply a political battle, but in reality it is a spiritual battle - a battle of ideologies and loyalties. You can see the sides drawing lines for battle. One side upholds Christian ideals and morals, the other insists on following the world and its values. These are diametrically opposed. The battle is the Lord’s. But we support the war effort with praise, worship and fervent Spirit-led prayer.
“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love for the Father is not in him.” 1 John 2:15
“If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.” John 5:19
“You will be hated by everyone on account of my name, but the one who perseveres to the end will be saved.” Matthew 10:22
“If we endure we will also reign with him.” 2 Timothy 2:12
So I encourage you to be sold out for Jesus. Be broken for him. It is a choice we all must make.
“Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, ……..But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15
And we all said, AMEN !
