The Requirement of Brokenness

Today I heard Tim Keller relate a story about several pastors talking in England about a young preacher who was taking the country by storm. Strong, authoritative preaching. As the men discussed this younger man's success, one of the older pastors remarked, "Yes, but I do not think that he has been broken yet." I suppose he was getting at the idea that grace can only flow through a broken vessel. So is it possible that brokenness is not a liability after all, but actually a requirement for effective ministry? Something to think about. Anyway, those remarks echo the words of Stanley Voke, who, in his book, Peronal Revival, said, 

"God knows how much we need to be broken, so He uses people and situations to humble us that we might be brought wounded and helpless to the foot of the cross." 

Brokenness is painful. No one chooses that path. However, what an encouragement it is to know that God plans those hard things in our lives in order that we might experience more grace, more love, more Jesus... and in turn, be much more effective "witnesses" to the beauty, wonder, and power of the gospel.