Break my heart, Lord!

Bob (not his real name) is a strong man, a hard-working man who makes large machines accomplish amazing tasks, a man’s man who knows about calloused hands and sweat. As we talked earlier this week, he asked about the church, our Christian school, and life in general. When I told him that some of our parents who had overdue tuitions who were not likely going to be able to continue with Christian education, he reached into his pocket and wrote a check for $2500! “Help some of those Christian people out with this.”

Bob cares! This is not the first time that I have witnessed the tender heart of this big man. When one of the parents was notified that her student’s overdue account had been paid, she wrote- “You have no idea. I cried … may God bless this person… I have to tell you it was coming down to us having to take P. to a public school because of the situation. God works in mysterious ways.” Sometimes He does, but often He work through ordinary people who let their heart’s be touched by needs of others and who choose to be the hands of Jesus!

Are you tender-hearted?
Life is much easier if we put on a hard shell and refuse to let the needs of others get to us. When we see someone suffering, dealing with a hard situation, we may be tempted to throw the blame back on them. If we just look at the facts, frequently we can find poor choices. Good people often do stupid things, show amazing lack of foresight, and ignore consequences of their choices. So can we just let them suffer? Did God look at you and me and said, “He brought destruction on himself with his willful sin. Let him die!”? No. He got involved. "Immense in mercy and with an incredible love, he embraced us. He took our sin-dead lives and made us alive in Christ. He did all this on his own, with no help from us!" (Ephesians 2:4-5, The Message) Now the Word says that "as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved,” we should “clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." (Colossians 3:12, NIV)

Jesus’ story makes the principle of compassion quite clear. Take a look.
“A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.
But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’" (Luke 10:30-35, NIV) “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:37, NIV)

Today, you will pass by people that are busted up, bleeding, and broken. Will you let God break your heart on their behalf and lead you to be a friend, a healer, an encourager?

Here’s a word from the Word. Ponder and obey and be blessed as you are a blessing.
"I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love." (Ephesians 4:1-2, NLT) "Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption." (Ephesians 4:29-30, NLT)

Lord, don’t let my self-protective actions break your heart today. Instead, please break my heart and help me to care. For your Glory, I pray. Amen
______________

Rescue the perishing,
Care for the dying,
Snatch them in pity
From sin and the grave;
Weep o'er the erring one,
Lift up the fallen,
Tell them of Jesus,
The mighty to save.

Rescue the perishing,
Duty demands it,
Strength for thy labor
The Lord will provide;
Back to the narrow way
Patiently win them,
Tell the poor wand'rer
A Savior has died.

Rescue the perishing,
Care for the dying;
Jesus is merciful,
Jesus will save.

Rescue The Perishing

Crosby, Fanny J. / Doane, William H.© Public Domain