I believe there is a universal principle in life that everyone would like to embrace: blessed to bless or bless to be blessed. However, what if there is one principle that would actually help us go the extra mile? It’s been lingering in my mind (since sometime last year and I didn’t have time to write this down until recently): broken to bless.

If you like cooking, you’ll most likely know the importance of having spices in your kitchen. I am not naturally good at cooking, yet I have always had an opinion (perhaps since I was a teenager) that the main thing that makes food delicious is the spices. (But, of course, the cooking process is also important!)

I have also realized that in order for spices to fulfill their purposes, they need to be crushed. For example, one usually needs to chop or mince garlic such that its unique and distinct taste and flavor can spread out well throughout the cooking. (I’ll be surprised if you disagree with this!)

In chemical engineering terms, I would describe that the garlic needs to undergo particle size reduction to facilitate mass transfer (or physical contact or collision) with its other surrounding particles (for example, of rice, of meat, of oil, of scrambled egg, and so on).

In essence, the garlic must be crushed in order to fulfill its purpose. And that explains why most—if not all—spices are [effective] in powder form. If they were not, then you would likely need to crush them! (The same is true for incense, which is typically made of an aromatic material, such as herbal and wood powders.)

In chemical engineering, I learned about a process called water electrolysis, which converts water into hydrogen (H₂) and oxygen (O₂) by electricity. This process is also known as water splitting—it is essentially a “destruction” of water molecules, resulting in two valuable gas molecules: H₂ (which is considered as a “clean” fuel and consists of the most abundant element in the universe) and O₂ (which is vital for many biological processes, such as respiration or oxidation).

If you learn how an internal combustion engine works, you’ll realize that the fuel mixture (gasoline and air) has to undergo compression before its explosive power can be harnessed to drive an engine. In this engine, chemical energy (in the fuel mixture) is converted into mechanical energy (to force turbines or pistons) and then kinetic energy (to propel, move, or power whatever the engine is attached to). Again, in this combustion process, the fuel molecules are essentially “destructed” or broken down into other molecules (i.e., CO₂ and H₂O), typically giving off heat and light.

It’s very interesting that all these examples found in nature are in principle related to what can actually happen in the spiritual realm as well.

In the Bible, we can find such stories where blessing is found in (or produced from) brokenness.

Christ’s broken body. Jesus claims that He is the bread of life (John 6:35) and on the night before His crucifixion, He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” (Luke 22:19, see also 1 Corinthians 11:23-24). Jesus gave us His life [through His bodily death, which is His broken body] so that all who believe in Him will live and remain alive.

The institution of the Lord’s Supper is to observe His sacrifice—to proclaim what Jesus Himself revealed to His disciples: “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. This is the bread which came down from heaven—not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever.” (John 6:53-58, NKJV).

In order to fulfill God’s purpose [that brings salvation to mankind], His Son’s body is crushed and His blood poured out—for our redemption and salvation. Christ’s bodily brokenness is our eternal blessing.

But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed.

Isaiah 53:5

David’s broken heart and spirit. The King of the United Kingdom of Israel, David, had experienced deep emotional pain caused by his foes, his family, and his own wrongdoings. Specifically, in his prayer of repentance after an affair with Bathsheba, David realized his sinfulness before a holy God and his heart was broken into pieces. He prayed, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit.” (Psalm 51:10-12). In a desperate and honest confession, he further cried, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart—these, O God, You will not despise.” (Psalm 51:10-12).

It was also King David who wrote this in his brokenness:

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Psalm 34:18

What an encouraging statement that is, especially for those who are going through deep waters or dark valleys these days! There is nothing more comforting than knowing that the Lord is with us, even at the lowest and darkest points in our lives.

It is often during this time of need that we can be honest with God in humility, realizing our own frailties and therefore our greatest need of help and deliverance from no other sources but the Almighty.

Paul the Apostle has realized this truth when he wrote that the Lord revealed to him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly he will rather boast in his infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon him. (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Our response in worship. Have you ever been in a situation where you feel like your life is turned upside down? When nothing and nobody could really meet your expectations or, worse, when someone abused your trust and betrayed you? When you had to face health, relationship, and/or financial problems? When you couldn’t see light at the end of the tunnel even after so many years of waiting? When your life is crushed to the point where you feel there is no hope in life after all?

If your answer to one of my questions above is “yes”, I hope you would feel encouraged after reading this post. First, know that you are not alone. Know that there is hope in God for those who trust in Jesus. Admit your need for a Savior. Accept Him as the Lord in your heart and over your life. By faith, believe in Jesus, embrace God’s love for you, and make a decision to commit your life to Him. (Remember that God does not despise you nor your brokenness!)

Here is the fascinating truth and good news: God is even able to use you and your brokenness to accomplish His purposes by His wisdom, love, and power! Yes, He can bring not just restoration (to the original state) but even transformation (to a more beautiful, valuable state) in your life.

As you place your faith in God’s Son, you will already receive God’s Spirit. He is the One who will testify that you are now a child of God and enable you to live according to the will of God the Father. The Holy Spirit will be your faithful Helper and forever Friend. He will sanctify you [that is, make you become holy and more holy] so that the will of God for you is fulfilled (1 Peter 1:15-16). The Spirit will give you confidence so you can come boldly to God to receive His mercy and grace and help that you desperately need (Hebrews 4:16).

Further insight: what it means to be broken-yet-blessed to bless. In Jesus, suffering or sacrifice is path to holiness. As Christ has suffered for us, we too are called to suffer for Him and for His Kingdom’s sake. Paul wrote that we have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ, but also the privilege of suffering for Him (Philippians 1:29). Moreover, he desired to know Christ and experience the power of His resurrection, to suffer with Him—sharing in His death—so that he would himself experience the resurrection from the dead (Philippians 3:10-11). In other words, Paul realized that the cross must precede the empty tomb. No suffering, no glory. No death, no resurrection. (In this regard, no pain, no gain is a very biblical concept.)

Now, let’s go back to incense. Do you now know why it is [effective] in powder form? This fact shows that incense has gone through a crushing process so that it is now ready to be burned to fulfill its purpose: to spread a sweet-smelling aroma that brings delight to those who smell it.

Did you know that our lives in Christ are supposed to be like an incense? Again, Paul wrote this revelation: “For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.” (2 Corinthians 2:15). As we walk in love, our lives will be an offering and a sacrifice to God that brings a sweet and pleasing aroma to Him!

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

Ephesians 5:1-2

What is love and what does love do?

“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7, NKJV).

I totally get it that when you walk in love, you will suffer. I used to be afraid or averse to suffer, let alone sacrifice. And I admit that I’m still learning and growing to be able to love more each day. (I hope I myself will better understand and do what I have written so far!)

At least now I know that I don’t have to be afraid or averse to suffer and sacrifice.

At least now I know that it is not I but Christ who lives in me—and I believe He is more than able to accomplish His purpose in and through me for His glory—so I can cast my burden on Him.

At least now I know that my life is like an incense (or garlic 🤣) ready to be “crushed” and “burned” for my Savior’s delight.

After all, broken to bless is an act of worship and love.

---

^{This article was drafted on January 20, 2024 in Delta, BC and finalized on January 24, 2024 in Burnaby, BC, Canada. The featured image was originally designed by the author with images from online resources.}

Read also:

• Why We Worship God
• How We Worship God
• What does the Bible say about brokenness?
• Why would the aroma of sacrifice be important to God?
• A Journey of Loving God: How Can I Know God Is Good?
• A Journey of Loving God: How Can I Love God?