Broken Before You Can Be Used

"When God wants to use a particular talent that He gave you, He will break you first," were the exact words (more or less) that bounced off my cgl's lips.

I was sharing with her about my recent interest in spiritual gifts. And of course, without me having to say, she knew that somehow I was also referring to worship leading (haha even though I was thinking about working with kids). Sigh. But I realized that alot of what she said is true. That before we are broken by God, we are doing what we are doing for our own selfish motives. This has been an issue that God has talked about several times already.

1 Corinthians 1:27-29

But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.

"Have you been broken enough by God?" was my cgl's question for me. Of course, I knew the answer's a resounding "NO". I've been way too sheltered my entire life, until this moment, or at least some people think of me. No serious setbacks in life - a smooth sailing education (many may think), no scars from BGRs (cos there have never been any), with loving parents and close siblings and a tight community of friends. Truth is, I know that I'm blessed by God in many ways:

1) He has given me an optimistic personality, that is founded on His strength, which has helped me walk through many issues and problems, with a positive outlook.
2) He has provided me with loving parents, who always do everything they can, to provide for all of my needs and wants. And of course, my mom, who was the one who brought all of us to church at tender ages so that we could be "trained in the way we should go, so that when we are old, we would not stray away."
3) He has planted me in a Christian family because He knows this is the best plan for me. I don't know if I were to be born elsewhere, I'd believe Him at all.
4) He has designed my life plan for me. I am supposed to be where I am right now.

I will face challenges which will call for unprecedented faith that has never been called on before, challenges that shall break but not kill me, as I walk on this narrow path towards home. I know that there is more to come, more to face, more to battle. But this is how my faith will be molded and tested and how I will know that I truly have faith in Him. This is how I will know when I sing for Him, it is truly for Him and no one else. He chooses to use those who have been broken.