12.16.2009

compassion

God is breaking my heart.
I've always thought of myself as a compassionate person.  Now, I'm realizing how little compassion I truly have compared to the love of our Father.
I can't stop weeping and for once my tears are not for myself, but for others.  So many others.  The cold, the hungry, the hurting, the little ones in need of a kind touch, a warm embrace.
While I sit here in my cozy home worrying about paying a mortgage, when really I should be thankful I have a mortgage to pay, I realize I want my heart to be broken.
So broken, that I must do something.  
So broken that I cannot sit back and watch children shiver because they have no warm coat while ten hang in my closet.  
So broken that I can no longer avoid the bad neighborhoods, but seek ways to bring them the Light of Jesus.
So broken that I can't ignore the homeless man on the corner, the mother addicted to drugs, the teens living on the streets.
The tears are blurring this screen now as I pray,
"Break me, Lord, and show me what you see everyday.  And may my feet move where your heart leads."

Wiping my eyes, I glance at the picture I've opened up.  A dejected little boy huddled on the street, and these words written above him in a handwriting I now recognize, "I WAS HERE".  God.  Here.  In the loneliness.  Walking with the abandoned, hurting with the destitute and the outcast.  I sense his invitation, the gentle imploring of His Spirit.  

Will I scribble in the handwriting of God on the walls of the oppressed, "I was here"?  Will I go where He goes?  Will I look for Him where I least expect Him?

This post is linked to:




holy experience


live the gospel


*This week and next week, I've invited some guest bloggers to share their incredible stories of compassion.  God is calling.  His love is restless, longing for our feet to carry it, our hands to offer it.

20 comments:

Stephanie said...

Wow...you have a way of challenging my heart, dear friend. I look forward to seeing your guest bloggers share their stories.

{darlene} said...

I am looking forward to their posts. Thanks for sharing your heart on this one. Too often I turn my head from the heartache when He is calling me to be the hands and feet. I know that we can't do 1000 things to the glory of God... but I pray that I hear Him when He is calling.

Freddae' said...

Powerful.

Andrea said...

It is easy to whine about our own issues until we take our eyes off ourselves and look around. When we look through GODs eyes we become broken for HIM...we also become more compassionate for others and less likely to feel sorry for ourselves.
Blessings, andrea

Becky@ Daily On My Way To Heaven said...

Thank you for stopping by my place and leaving a note..."I was here"...
It was great to have you overthere and great to see what the Lord is doing in your life.

Marijah said...

Joye....this was beautiful!

I am so with you on this. It's so hard to even imagine sometimes how much I take for granted...I just have to open my hands and say "Lord, take my life and everything I have, and USE it for YOUR GLORY and purpose....and give me the strength, humility, courage, patience, and faith to accept your perfect will."

You are such a sweet woman Joye, and you have truly been an encouragement to me. I am so very thankful for you and for the wonderful compassionate heart that God has given you, a heart that keeps on learning and growing in Him. I'm praying with you, asking God to break my heart also and to allow me to see the world through His eyes...and to not just let it break my heart and leave me wallowing in a pit of despair, but for it to utterly break my heart and to be able to know that God's love can still heal this! To Him be all the glory and praise, forever(:

Love you so much dear Joye!

In Him,
Marijah

Chris@Joyful Mother said...

Hi Joye,

Thanks for stopping by my blog today. Wow, your post was very touching. I am with ya with the compassion. Often times, I think about what I can do for the Kingdom of God. I feel so drawn to touch lives that have not been touched with the Love of Christ. As I sit in my home and cry out to the Lord, He shows me how lots of "things" we might treasure in this world are nothing when you encounter the true love of Christ.

It isn't about going about our regular routines and such (not saying it is a waste of time--I have eight kids to teach and tend to) but living the "american dream" is not all that. Especially when you encounter the love of Christ. Nothing is more gratifying than seeing someone open up and share their hurts and pains and then receive the Love Christ is giving for themselves. Truly a wonderful feeling in my heart.

Nice to meet you too and definitely will visit again.

Chris

Lisa notes... said...

Ooh, a very convicting post. I know I need more compassion, too, and need to have my heart broken in all the right places. Please, Lord, do with our hearts as you will!

really.truly said...

This post was beautiful and heart filled!! I have to tell you....you put into words what has been going on in my head for days. The more that we are worrying about not having a job,paying bills, so many things....the more I am worrying about the homeless, those without food.

We can take so much for granted, until it's taken away.....and then realize that so many were without the whole time. Do you know what I mean?? My heart just goes out to the lonely and the cold.

Anonymous said...

Joye, That was so wonderful...and I know that it was the Spirit of God in you that compelled you to feel this way. Praise Jesus for the gift of compassion and grace for the hurting and those in need.

(-:

Brook

Kristin said...

Joye, beautifully put! For the first time in my life, I feel this way too. I just want to do something, anything, to help others, but I don't know where to start. I don't know what to do. It frustrates me so much, because I think about it all the time, but I don't feel like I'm doing anything. I will look forward to your guests and what they have to say too.

Jenilee said...

Oh Joye... this has been on my heart!! since reading Primal by Mark Batterson, I've been so burdened. I just want to give more and do more! he challenges Christians in the area of love and compassion. He basically says that our hearts must break for the hurting, the broken because God's heart breaks for them. When we are saved we are given a new heart of flesh (Ezekiel) and our new heart should have the heartbeat of Christ. I'm doing a study of this topic at my awake journey and I can't wait to start it. I did the review for the book but I just feel like this topic needs more attention, especially in my own heart! thanks for posting this.

Catherine Anne said...

Thank you for this beautiful post!!!

Mich said...

Beautiful...you touched ny heart with this one.

Fiona said...

me too!! that's all i can say!!

Wylie @ Shout A Joyful Noise! said...

AMEN!!! Such a powerful post!!! So moving... Thank you!
Wylie

christy rose said...

What a beautiful post Joye! I believe that God is moving in the hearts of His people this Season like never before. At least, I am seeing it more. Our hearts should beat with the rhythm of His. You communicated yourself so beautifully here today.

Unknown said...

I love this my friend~! thanks for what you're sharing!

Amber@theRunaMuck said...

Amazing.

Kari said...

Beautiful. Love that photo. Can you imagine how much things could change if more people had a heart like you and wanted to help in the name of Jesus? The world would change in a heartbeat.

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