8b [Recognize that you are] sinners, get your soiled hands clean; [realize that you have been disloyal] wavering individuals with divided interests, and purify your hearts [of your spiritual adultery]. 9 [As you draw near to God] be deeply penitent and grieve, even weep [over your disloyalty]. Let your laughter be turned to grief and your mirth to dejection and heartfelt shame [for your sins]. 10 Humble yourselves [feeling very insignificant] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up and make your lives significant]. James 4:8-10 [AMP]
This passage comes directly after “Come close to God and He will come close to you…” What really hit me was that this ‘Brokenness’ is an aspect of ‘coming close to God’. I read this book called “Brokenness: The Heart God Revives” and it is so applicable to this passage today. The book primarily talks about the fact that in many cases Brokenness is the start of revival, and it is infectious when it happens. The book recalls a conference that the Author attended where the primary speaker came up on the opening keynote and poured out their confession of sin, guilt/shame they were carrying, and literally wept in front of all of these people in their grief over disappointing their Lord and Savior. What happened next was that person after person came up on stage in front of the mic and did the same thing regarding their sin. The conference organizers were obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit and let the confessions go on and essentially canceled the rest of the planned content. Can you imagine? So, that is the mindset I am drawn to in this passage today. What do I have as unconfessed/unrepentant sin that I need to be in recognition of, to grieve, and to be somber over how what I have done has drawn me away from God.