When I was in my early 20s, I read Watchman Nee’s book The Release of the Spirit. The content of the book came out of a long period of silence from Nee, after he was grossly mistreated by fellow Christians.
Nee was someone who never defended himself against false accusation and attack. He, like Jesus, was silent at such times, entrusting himself to God as 1 Peter 2 commands.
When Nee resumed his ministry, however, he delivered a series of powerful messages on brokenness. Those messages are contained in the book, The Release of the Spirit.
I’m re-reading this book, some 20 years after I first read it as a young man.
When I first read the book, the concepts were theoretical to me. Albeit, the book scared the liver out of me because I saw a preview of what was to come for me if I continued to be obedient to the Lord’s calling on my life.
Today, I am reading it with different eyes. I am reading it as one who has tasted the message in my own experience. And the words are life to me.
I recommend this book to anyone who has been called to the Lord’s work. It will give you a preview of what awaits you and how to respond when it comes.
Here’s an excerpt:
So the Treasure is in the earthen vessel, but if the earthen vessel is not broken, who can see the Treasure within? What is the final objective of the Lord’s working in our lives? It is to break this earthen vessel, to break our alabaster box, to crack open our shell. The Lord longs to find a way to bless the world through those who belong to Him.
Brokenness is the way of blessing, the way of fragrance, the way of fruitfulness, but it is also a path sprinkled with blood. Yes, there is blood from many wounds. When we offer ourselves to the Lord to be at His service, we cannot afford to be lenient, to spare ourselves. We must allow the Lord utterly to crack our outward man, so that He may find a way for His out working.
Each of us must find out for himself what is the mind of the Lord in his life. It is a most lamentable fact that many do not know what is the mind or intention of the Lord for their lives. How much they need for Him to open their eyes, to see that everything which comes into their lives can be meaningful. The Lord has not wasted even one thing.
To understand the Lord’s purpose, is to see very clearly that He is aiming at a single objective: the breaking of the outward man.
However, too many, even before the Lord raises a hand, are already upset. Oh, we must realize that all the experiences, troubles and trials which the Lord sends us are for our highest good.
See also The Unbroken Christian
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