Passion For the Hurting
Sometimes I ask God to give me His heart for people. To love like He does, to care like He does. But then moments come when God answers that prayer and I realize my heart can barely bear the burden. It's too much. It weighs me down to the point that it's difficult to function. All I can do is grieve. And worry. And pray. Often I'm bent over in anguish with my pleas.
I remember a day I prayed for a woman dying of ovarian cancer. She had a daughter in the 6th grade; one of my daughter's best friends. On that particular day, in my frustration, I dared to ask God if He even cared. Soon after, I was gripped with such an agony of care for this lady that I couldn't even form words to pray for her. I hurt for her and her family deep in my gut. Deep in my spirit. So much so that I was literally bent over in agony and could only groan my desperate petition to God. And then God whispered into my spirit, "You asked if I care? What you're experiencing right now is only a tiny fraction of the care I feel for this family. You couldn't bear to feel it all. "
I'm reading a book entitled "A Bruised Reed" by Becky Yates Spencer. It's her story of ministering to the abused, neglected children of Swaziland (now ESwatini). It's heartbreaking!
To whom much is given, much is required. I am one of those to whom much is given. I've been loved and cherished since birth, first by my parents, then by my husband. As I read about these desperately hurting children in Swaziland, I'm overwhelmed by a need to do something. The thought that much is required of me can be daunting. What is required of me? I could spin my wheels doing all manner of good deeds and not really amount to anything of lasting significance.
I need for God to birth in me good works. To birth in me the correct mindset. To birth in me a passion for doing His work. And He will. And He does.
The enemy wants to burden me with guilt and a frenetic busy-ness, trying to somehow ease the guilt I might have over my abundant life.
My creator and the author of my faith wants me, instead, to go forward in great joy, doing the unique work He has called me to do, out of a heart filled with love. What freedom. What joy. To love those He's put in my path. Whether it’s my family, my friends, or strangers on the other side of the globe. He wants me to love big and to give big out of the abundance He has entrusted to me. As He directs.
Back to the story of my friend dying of cancer. God made it quite clear that I couldn't possibly care at the same level He cares. There is so much hurt and injustice in this world. I can't possibly bear the burden of all of it. He never intended that any of us should do that. He does, however, intend for us to take His love and His compassion to someone in this hurting world. And then someone else. And so on. As He directs. What an adventure of the richest sort!
Back in 2016, I wrote this note to myself. “We, God's redeemed children, are on assignment to take God's love and acceptance to people He has placed in our lives.” How fitting for today's topic. And how easy it is to ignore this truth.
As you dig deeper into an intimate, loving relationship with your Savior, listen to Him. Let Him guide you day by day to those hurting people He's uniquely directing you to. Go in His power and in His love. He will enable you to love bigger than you can imagine and to give of yourself beyond what you are capable of.
Because of the One who lives in you.
Ask Him now, where you are to go to mend broken hearts in His name.
"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." (Psalm 147:3)
Jesus said, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed," (Luke 4:18)
