The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed (Luke 4:18).
 |
| Courtesy of Flickr: here |
I've been thinking about my life, strengths and weaknesses, and I cringe. I love people, but I would never confess to being quick to love the unlovable. I have a "save the world mentality", but more often than not, I let myself become overwhelmed, which discourages any action. I'm tripped up in my efforts to be better by my own brokenness. I waste time on selfish activities. I could continue, but I think you get the idea- I'm a mess.
I want to move. I want to love. I want to get over myself. I want to ache for their brokenness, your brokenness, and my brokenness. My "want tos" do no good, if I only "want to" and never act.
What will happen when I realize life is more about others and less about me? Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law (Romans 13:8). Our hearts will be broken, and we will be moved to action.
When a heart is in tact, does it ache for the lonely, broken, or lost? It's questionable. However, a heart that is burdened to the breaking point with a love for others moves.
Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. He taught in their synagogues, and everyone praised him. He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing" (Luke 4:14-20)
Here's our Lord at the beginning of His ministry reveal exactly what He was here to do. {Do we get it?}
My prayer is that the Lord would help me to love, to see, to hear, and to move as a result of all that I encounter. That I would die to my flesh, and in doing so, that I would recognize the opportunities to love with my actions. Lastly, that I would follow in the foot steps of our greatest model, Jesus Christ, loving God and others enough to take up my cross daily.
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:30-31)
In His Name,
Jennifer
8 comments:
This reminds me of all those Monday nights spent with Beth in the Writing Center. One particular night she was talking about how we are to become refuges for the brokenhearted and storm-tattered. She urged us that we were put here to do some good. So, echoing Beth, "Girlfriend, I want to do some goooodd!"
Thank you for your penetrating words in this.
Ah good times! I miss those nights with you girls and Beth!...I love that!--"Girlfriend, I want to do some gooood" too!!! :)
Thanks, Court!
I join you in your prayer and agree with you. I want to do become that person in Christ too. No striving, no trying hard, just allowing Him to help me become...oh for grace, grace, and more grace.
Thank you for these words Jennifer.
Jeri, you hit the nail on the head---grace! We can't "be" without grace!
Great post Jennifer and food for thought. I am in that place too where I feel I'd like to take more action rather than just feeling like I 'should' save the world (and get overwhelmed). God gave me limited time on this earth and I am trying to find out what He'd have me do with it and how to bless those around me.
Thank you for sharing your words!
Jadyn, that's great! A lot of people don't even consider how they can be Jesus to other people. The fact that you want to serve Him with your life speaks volumes! :)
When we earnestly and humbly seek a heart of "brokenness" for God's people, God is faithful to honor that request. It may take time and experience and tremendous growth pains to bring us to a place of loving his created as he loves them, but that's one of his goals for us.
I suppose I'll spend the rest of my earthly days learning to love the most excellent way. I'm so grateful for the model set before me!
Keep to it, Jennifer, and blessings to you in your Advent walk.
peace~elaine
It's true, Elaine, and brokenness is not fun. But it reaps a harvest of treasures.
I hope your Christmas season is full of joy!!
Post a Comment