My true intentions for this post are because of the weight my heart has been carrying. I hate conflict, I hate dealing with other peoples' messes, and most of the time I don't feel like going out of my way for someone who doesn't even realize how far gone they are. But the truth of the matter is that I have the Eternal Life inside of me and this life shaped me into who I was, who I am, and who I will be. Even when all of me screams to not care, I just look at people. I see how much I truly have and how much they do not. It's that moment then and there that I can't help but care.
Jesus cared for thousands upon thousands (if not millions) of people when he was on this earth. What did He get in return? Beat. Tortured. Mocked. Hated. The cross. Did He spit cursing fire? Did He raise His hand to strike His enemies? Did He hurt those who oppressed Him? No. He loved them even more. Dying there on that tree, His love only grew to the point that It's limit was erased. To the point where It overcame the only thing man truly fears because man himself cannot overcome it alone. That is death. He resurrected and freed the entire human race from the bonds of sin and lives to this very day, calling out to people in a way that they must BELIEVE and have FAITH that He is there so He and they can be one.
Because of this, I care for people. Even when I don't want to, I rarely say no. And let me tell you, I pray for a lot of people. Some for 7+ years. And right now my heart is heavy. Heavy because so many people near and dear to me are just going through a lot. Some have a scary illness. Some are losing hope. Some have turned away from God. Some are struggling in life. Some have been through tragedies. Some continue or do not realize to sin in an open, unrepentant way and that very thing is either driving them away or keeping them from God. Some need saved. I think about these people and their needs daily. I pray for them again and again, not giving up hope. Because the Lord never gave up on us.
I'm not perfect. I never was and won't be until He makes me perfect. I cry inside when I think about some of these ones and their problems. I see them crying out and it kills me because I've given them the only thing that will help them and they reject It because this world has blinded them from Salvation.
I also see all the garbage posted on facebook and the stuff people talk about posting on twitter and every bone in my body aches to put in my two cents...but I don't. It will always lead to an argument that ends up going nowhere and it's only going to happen again and again and again. So what happens next? During my one year Christian internship, our group had to do a presentation on Hezekiah (amazing man of God). One of the members of our group was touched by the part on the idols and came to a realization that "if you tear down people's idols, they'll build them back up. But if you give them Jesus, they will tear down their own idols." How true those words are. Some of you may be thinking... "Ha I don't have any idols/statue thingys that I worship." Truth is, idols aren't just carved images. They're the things that hold our hearts. The time we spend working, investing, researching to make money. Money can be an idol. That fancy car you saved all your life for can be an idol. The clothes you wear, the amount of alcohol you drink, your career, even the opposite sex. I'm not saying these things are bad, but that they can become bad if they turn you away from what really matters.
Truth be told, I don't just pray about those in dire situations. I pray for some who have babies on the way. Some who, like me, want to bring their friends to Jesus. Some who need a job. Some who are looking for a spouse. Some who are trying to finish this semester well. Some who are talking to friends, have bible studies, holding church meetings, giving messages, planning conferences...the list goes on.
I'm putting this all out there because Encouragement can go along way. Sharing my cares and burdens can ease those of others. Because maybe you see yourself as one of the people described above and I want you to know that even though I may not always show it, I deeply care about you in more ways than you know. And if I have offended any of you, then I apologize because that wasn't my intention. My heart may be weary, but His love never runs out. He didn't give up on us, so I won't give up on those around me.
Isaiah 41:10
'Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."
Isaiah 43:2
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you."
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