I saw him: the man at the end of the snow-covered ramp. His bare hands clutched the cardboard sign indicating he would work for food.
My heart constricted. Not only from the plight I imagined prompted him to this, but from how I compared my heart’s response from the first time I saw this scenario until today.
My first encounter with such desperation was dramatic. It weighted me long after I’d done all I could do. After years of seeing this, I would still act, but the effect on me was different.
I’d make a call for the practical needs. I would say a prayer. Then, my day would continue. Maybe I would recall the person in a week. Maybe one of my blanket prayers would cover him.
As you have more life experiences do you ever feel you’re losing empathy? That with those things that would burden your heart, you simply do what you can, say a prayer and move on?
Romans 12:9 reminds us: Love must be sincere. I want the things that break God’s heart to propel me into action. I want to remember to pray for them next week, next month. I don’t want sheer numbers of needs to make me forget the individuals. The people are God’s children, my brothers and sisters in humanity.
How can I grow in love? Galatians 5:22 talks about the Fruit of the Spirit. The first fruit listed is love. As we draw nearer to God, He’ll draw nearer to us. His Holy Spirit will help grow our hearts to look more like God’s.
This ‘turning on’ of emotion and conviction is not to leave us sad or dismayed. It’s to help us engage with people.
To help us let others know: You are seen.
God still wants to be the One who provides. Sometimes part of the physical or financial provision will come through us. But He also calls us to provide something else: human connection. Because human connection is sometimes how some of His children see Him.
We can- and should- still trust Him to meet the needs we see. We can- and should- do what we can and trust Him with the rest. We also should take a few minutes and let His love flow to them through us.
No matter how much life we live, His love will never run out as long as we’re in touch with Him.
Prayer: Dear Lord, I want to sincerely love. Fill me, so Your love overflows through me. Thank You for Your promise to provide for all my needs so I don’t need to feel overwhelmed. Thank You for drawing closer to me as I draw closer to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.