God broke my heart this week.
I shouldn’t be surprised. In fact, I should have been expecting it, because I had prayed for this very thing! Nevertheless, when God answers my prayers in such specific, transforming ways, I am always struck with awe at the power He has to change hearts.
In Guatemala, the surrounding beauty of God’ s creation made it so easy to worship. The amazing work of His hand was all around us, and even the artwork in the city testified to God’s power (there were painted signs everywhere proclaiming, ‘Jesus loves you!’ and ‘Look for God’).
So when I arrived in China, I was overwhelmed by the bleakness that seemed to surround everything. Dead trees, dirty streets, and tower after tower of ugly high rise apartment buildings, seemed to me disturbingly reminiscent ofThe Matrix. “How could one live here, and maintain hope?” I wondered. Day after day of traveling through one seeming wasteland to another slowly sapped my light and enthusiasm. “God, show me your love for these people. Give me Your heart for them while I’m here.”
Just as I felt my own personal reserves were completed, God took control. He sent our team to show us where He was beginning to do His work. I can take no credit for the opportunities and blessings that abounded to us in Won Gai, as everything was so divinely orchestrated.
While I sat as guest foreign teacher in front of 500 students, answering their prepared questions, I looked out over the hundreds of beautiful faces and wondered how many, if any, had ever heard the gospel. I saw such promise in their youth, such beauty in their rosy-cheeked excitement. I prayed over them, and my heart began to truly understand the significance of what it means to be ‘lost’. If I don’t share Christ with them, if someone doesn’t come to teach them, every single beautiful child will be doomed to spend an eternity separated from the presence of God.
In that moment, I understood how profound and necessary is the command to “Go make disciples of all nations.” God’s direction is personal. It is essential. If you have received salvation from Christ, how dare you sit at home in comfort and luxury, content with the knowledge that you are safe while billions are at risk of perishing?
If you are struggling right now, that’s ok. God is in the business of changing hearts, and He’ll grant you the love and compassion you need. Have you asked Him lately?
Pray,
‘Lord, I love you. Please make me more like You by giving me a heart for Your people. Break my heart for the lost. Give me Your eyes for the broken and hungry. Give me Your compassion for the needy around me, and give me opportunities to share Christ with them. Thank you Lord for what You’ve done for me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen’.
