THAT’S MY EXCUSE?!

I’ve been thinking…Why are some people so filled with passion and drive that they can’t help but reach out to those who are hurting.

And the rest of us do care, especially when presented with information of a person’s or a people’s painful circumstances. But except for a prayer or two said, a check written, we continue about our business – or busyness – forgetting all about that person’s pain in a day or two.

I prefer staying home, as a rule. It’s safer. I can eat my own cooking and avoid possible gluten contamination (the stuff that caused me a troublesome 40 years until knowledge came). So is guarding my health a good reason for not going “out into the world”?

The draw to stay in the comfort of my home, taking care of home life, is greater than the draw to reach out! Just let me write a check to help support somebody who has greater passion to go make a difference.

How pathetic is that!!!!!

I want to fall to my knees and beg God’s forgiveness. I want to ask him to break my heart and fill me with passion for those who are hurting. This apathy that seems to define me can’t be right!

We met a man while in Israel last fall. His name is Tommy, he’s maybe 60-something years old, and he’s a teacher from California. He returns to Israel every year because his heart is heavy for the lost souls, especially the young. His conversation easily turns to his passion, his eyes easily tear up from compassion for the people on his heart. He doesn’t work through an agency, he serves on his own time with his own money. What led the passion to burn so greatly within him that he spends the time, the discomfort (have you ever flown for 12 hours on an airplane?), and the money each year to touch lives in another country?

I’m not a brave person, in fact I’m quite easily intimidated. So I must begin with prayer, and pray diligently.

I’m reading a book by David Platt, Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream. He writes what might be a possible answer from God to the question: Why am I so blessed? 

“I have blessed you for my glory. Not so you will have a comfortable life with a big house and nice car. Not so you can spend lots of money on vacations…but I’ve blessed you so that the nations will know me and see my glory.”

How do I affect nations? How do I show God’s glory to them? Maybe prayer is what I’m called to do…intentional, on-the-knees, my ‘free’ time spent in intercessory prayer. I do have a heart – a passion – for that, and I’ve seen God work through my prayers, but sadly I don’t spend near enough time praying.

Another passion of mine is eating-to-heal. It causes me great sadness to sit by and watch people who struggle with health, who have all their prescriptions and doctor appointments, and they sit down to eat their inflammatory meals. Perhaps there’s a way for God to use that passion in me to touch lives, but I have yet to know how that would work. If you’re a praying person, I ask that you say a prayer for me as I work this out.

“God of Grace and God of Glory”

Following is an adaptation of the hymn. The words spoke deep into my heart.

God of grace and God of glory,

On your people pour your power.

Crown your ancient church’s story,

Bring her bud to glorious flower.

Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,

For the facing of this hour.

Lo! the hosts of evil around us,

Scorn your Christ, assail his ways.

From the fears that long have bound us,

Free our hearts to faith and praise.

Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,

For the living of these days.

Cure your children’s warring madness,

Bend our pride to your control.

Shame our wanton selfish gladness,

Rich in things and poor in soul.

Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,

Lest we miss your kingdom’s goal.

Set our feet on lofty places,

Gird our lives that they may be,

Armored with all Christ-like graces,

In the fight to set men free.

Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,

That we fail not man nor Thee.

Save us from weak resignation,

To the evils we deplore.

Let the search for your salvation,

Be our glory evermore.

Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,

Serving Thee Whom we adore.