God Uses What is Broken
“Then Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob… and with the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord.” —1 Kings 18:31–32a (NKJV)
Elijah didn’t gather new stones. He rebuilt the altar of the Lord using the broken ones that had been cast down and scattered. He didn’t discard what was damaged—he redeemed it. God didn’t require something fresh or flawless to respond with fire; He honored what was surrendered and restored.
Holy Things From Humble Places
This is a powerful truth: God doesn’t need your life to be polished and perfect. He builds holy things from humble pieces. The stones of past mistakes, broken dreams, and painful seasons—these are not disqualified. In fact, they are often the very material He uses to construct the altars of revival in our lives. What the world sees as rubble, God sees as a foundation for His glory.
God Redeems, Not Replaces
And here’s the beauty: when we surrender our brokenness, the Holy Spirit fills the space between the stones. He is the fire that falls, the power that sanctifies, and the presence that makes the offering holy. God is not looking to replace your past—He wants to redeem it. You are not too far gone. The altar can be rebuilt. The fire can fall again. And the Holy Spirit still breathes life into what once seemed lost.
Closing Prayer
Reflection Questions:
- What “rubble” from your past have you believed disqualifies you?
- How might God use that very thing for His purpose?
- What does it look like to trust God with your broken pieces today?
For more information:
Read: Enforcing You: https://lisa-schwarz.com/enforcing-you/
Watch: Enforcing Purpose Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaMLikcR9YvZq6l0PY8Xhb1uuckk61mO8&si=u29o54xwv1m_Wln4
