In our brokenness, we become a channel to be used by God.
Text - Acts 3:6
The opportunity to do something for the Lord came unexpectedly to Peter and John. They were not able to give the beggar what he asked for but they were able to give him something better. They prayed for him and the Lord healed him.
A story from one of Billy Graham’s periodicals illustrates the truth about giving.
Bamboo
Once upon a time, in the heart of the Western Kingdom, lay a beautiful garden. There in the cool of the day the Master of the garden was wont to walk. Of all the dwellers in his garden, the most beautiful and beloved was a noble bamboo tree. Year after year Bamboo grew yet more noble and gracious, conscious of his Master's love and watchful delight.
One day the Master himself drew near to contemplate his beloved tree, and Bamboo in a passion of adoration bowed his great head to the ground. The Master spoke: "Bamboo, I will use you." It seemed the day of days had come, the day for which the tree had been made. Bamboo's voice came low: "Master, I am ready. Use me as you wish."
"Bamboo," the Master's voice was grave, "I must take you and cut you down!"
"Cut-me down! Me-whom you, Master, have made the most beautiful in all your garden-cut me down! Not that, not that. Use me for your Joy, O Master, but do not cut me down."
"Beloved Bamboo, "the Master's voice grew graver still, "if I do not cut you down, I cannot use you."
The garden grew still. Wind held his breath. Bamboo slowly bent his glorious head. There came a whisper, "Master, if you cannot use me unless you cut me down-then-do your will and cut."
"Beloved Bamboo, I must cut your leaves and branches from you also."
"Master, spare me. Lay My beauty in the dust-but would you take from me my leaves and branches also?"
"Unless I cut them away, I cannot use you."
The Sun hid his face. A butterfly glided fearfully away. And Bamboo shivered in expectancy, whispering low, "Master, cut away."
"Bamboo, I would divide you in two and cut out your heart, for if I do not I cannot use you."
Then Bamboo bowed to the ground. "Master, then cut and divide."
So did the Master of the garden cut down Bamboo and hack off his branches and strip off his leaves and divide him in tow and cut out his heart. Then he carried him to where there was a spring of fresh, sparkling water in the midst of the Master's dry fields. Putting one end of broken Bamboo into the spring and the other end into the water channel in his field, the Master gently laid down his beloved tree. And the spring sang welcome and the clear sparkling waters raced joyously down the channel of Bamboo's torn body into the waiting fields. Then the rice was planted, and the days went by, and the shoots grew and the harvest came.
In that day Bamboo, once so glorious, was truly put to use in his brokenness and humility. For in his beauty he had life abundant for himself, but in his brokenness he became a channel of abundant life to his Master's world.