Yesterday I began meditating on brokenness. My thoughts have taken me to this point: there are two kinds of brokenness.

There is the brokenness that sin brings. It can be a brokenness like, “Oh, I got caught. I’m sorry.” It could be a feeling. “I’ve done wrong. I feel bad about that.”

Sin can bring a certain kind of brokenness, but it may not be the brokenness we truly need.

And I think we DO need a brokenness. It is a David after hearing from Nathan the prophet, or a Josiah upon hearing the Book of the Law.

The second kind of brokenness is the gift God give us. We realize we have offended him or broken his heart. We are crushed.

The first kind of brokenness may lead to something good. Or, it may just lead to say, “I hope I don’t get caught again.”

The second kind of brokenness helps us to healing. “Lord, I don’t want that relationship with you damaged. Please heal me.”

Lent is a time to examine and allow the cross to break down what doesn’t belong. It may hurt, but it is a brokenness that leads to healing.