I don't have to deal with massive brokenness very often. Or maybe I should say I don't get to. I talk about sin and the fallenness of the world when I teach and in my sleep (well, I don't know if I do in my sleep, but I might). But even though I talk about it, and I think in the church we talk about it, it's easy to not really think about or be impacted by it when you don't come in close contact with it.
Yesterday I had the opportunity to talk to and try to help a young girl who has a tremendous amount of brokenness in her life. As I sat and listened to her story, knowing full well that at least some of what she was telling me was a lie, I could see the pain gushing out through her tear filled gaze. I wanted to rescue her. I wanted to take her out of the situations that were causing her pain and leading her down paths that will take her to some bad places.
The reality is that I can't save her. I can help her, but there is only one who can save her. And I don't even mean primarily save her from hell. I mean save her from her fractured relationships, her bad decisions, and her world shattering brokenness. Jesus is the only one who can save her from all that. The best I can to is take action on her behalf and then pray with all my heart for the God who made her and loves her dearly to save her from her circumstances, herself, and the sin that is eroding her life.
It was very difficult to see her pain, but it felt good to actually hurt for someone. To want to cry for someone. To be reminded emotionally that sin is real.
3 comments:
It's so hard to get out of our own selfishness (maybe only for me?) to really care for someone who needs alot from you, who takes alot more than they give. I think it's so important to have a couple "needy" people in your life. It's frustrating, exhausting, discouraging, but the right thing to do.
trevor--hey, just stumbled upon your web presence. what's up?
tlee - dude....great to see the shepherd in you growing...I love working with you bro!
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