What Breaks Your HEART ?

“Hearts will never be practical until they are made unbreakable”
- The Wizard of Oz (Fleming, 1939)

The Great and Powerful Oz understood the hazards of having a heart – a heart can be broken. But God uses even broken hearts to His glory! Casting Crowns has a new song called Jesus Friend of Sinners and one of the lines says, "Jesus, break our hearts for what breaks yours.” While I was listening to the song, I thought about how Jesus wants the things that break His heart, to draw us in to service. So I ask you, What breaks your heart?

Lately several of my friends have been feeling like God is calling them to serve in different ways than they have been serving, or in addition to how they are now serving within their churches and communities. I think sometimes when we get comfortable, in the areas we are serving, God begins to “nudge” us. He wants to challenge us, stretch us, to get us out of our comfort zone and force us to rely on Him. I’ve experienced this “pruning” myself and there are three suggestions I would offer to anyone currently going through this “season.”

First, spend some quiet time with God. It’s never a good idea to set off on a new mission without taking it to God first. He will direct your path and give you peace in your decision-making process.

Second, do some “soul searching.” If you don’t know where to being, there are many resources available that will aid in this process. Here are two websites that offer free spiritual gifts inventories:

http://www.umc.org/site/c.lwL4KnN1LtH/b.1355371/k.9501/Spiritual_Gifts.htm

http://www.buildingchurch.net/g2s.htm 

Spiritual gifts are called "spiritual" because they come from the Holy Spirit. In 1 Corinthians 12:1-31, Romans 12:3-8 and Ephesians 4:11, Paul gives us three lists of spiritual gifts which include prophesy, serving, teaching, exhortation, giving, leadership, compassion, healing, miracles, wisdom, knowledge, faith, missionary, administration, helps, discernment, evangelism, pasturing, tongues, and interpretation.

Your personality, experience, and passions, combined with identifying your spiritual gifts, will help you understand new ways that you can best serve the Lord.

 
I am a list person so one thing I always do when I am going through the soul searching process is ask myself some questions and write down the answers. Here are some questions that might be helpful in getting you started:

1. What breaks your heart? When you look at the suffering in the world today, where do you see yourself trying to help? Is it hunger, abuse, homelessness, elderly, missions,
2. I heard another thought provoking question on the radio one morning. The DJ asked the question, “What would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail?
3. Think about all the things that you do in your life. What brings you the most joy? What excites you?
4. What resources do you have to offer? (time, money, supplies)

In answering these questions, if you are drawn to specific people such as youth, volunteers, or the elderly, then you might want to consider working with that group of people. If you are concerned about certain issues, such as the environment, health issues, or other causes, then why not get involved in ways to make a difference in those areas. If you get excited about a particular program or activity at church, then maybe you should work in that area. (ie. If you love singing - why not join the music worship team?) There is another site that offers great resources for “issues, people, and ministries” – check it out: http://mintools.com/heart.htm

And the third and final step is, pray about it. More quiet time… lay the results of your soul searching out before the Lord. Ask for His guidance about the actions you should take next. Involve others…. ask them to pray with you and for you, as you make decisions and take steps on your new journey.

Now it's time... God just asks us to be willing and to be available.  Here is a personal example of stepping out in faith.  I have a passion for the elderly and hospice patients. Because I work full time, I’ve tried to find small ways to make a difference in the lives of these two groups of people. I’ve worked with a group of kids, making cards and delivering them to people in the local nursing home. What a blessing for the kids and the seniors. I have also served as a Hospice volunteer, which was so rewarding. God began to show me how He was using my passion to make a difference in the lives of others. I believe that while I was spending time volunteering, God was preparing me and helping me realize the next step He wanted me to take in my servant-hood. I felt Him calling me to go back to school and it is my hope that someday I can become a Chaplain, working in nursing homes and/or with a Hospice organization. God may have other plans down the road, but for this season of my life, I am serving and learning, and following God’s “gentle nudges.”

It’s Friday, Let’s Sparkle… action required… Many times we get busy trying to find our “calling” and forget that everyday there are small ways we can serve others and help those in need.

“Back to School Sales” have already started and the first day of school is right around the corner. This can be a very expensive and stressful time of year for single parents, families with lots children, and others who are already struggling financially. Many churches and community organizations are gearing up for “backpack projects” to help with supplies for those in the community that can’t afford even the basic back to school needs. Also, many stores like Walmart post the “needs lists” for local schools. While you are buying supplies for your child, why not let your child help pick out 2 of everything on the list and make a donation to a “backpack project,” your child’s school, or give the extra supplies to a neighbor family that has several children.

Please remember that we are each, only one person. You don’t have to do it all, but we are all called to do something. I pray the words of Psalm 20:4 for each of you as you seek ways to serve in God’s Kingdom here on earth... “May He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.”

Serve the least, the lost, and the lonely...
God’s Peace, Donna Weaver

“Be who you are meant to be and you will set the world on fire”

- Saint Catherine

Ramblings on a TUESDAY

I know it’s not Monday or Friday, but it’s been quite a day and I just felt like I needed to share my thoughts with you…

Lately I’ve conveyed the fact that my busy-ness seems to be stealing my spiritual peace, and yesterday I wrote about it in my blog. I received a much appreciated comment from one of my readers and found such encouragement in her words. She wrote, “I too struggle in this area so please know that you are not alone,” then she went on to include the following prayer “Donna, I pray that we all FIGHT for time with JESUS, that we FIGHT for peace and stillness in our everyday lives, and that we FIGHT for spiritual wholeness.” Last night as I prayed to God, I thanked Him for the blessings of the day, including those people He brings in to our lives when we need to be reminded, taught, and encouraged.

... I guess He thought that I hadn’t quite gotten the message because it continued throughout my day today…

As I was driving to work, my heart felt heavy. I prayed to God, but my thoughts wandered and I had trouble focusing on MY list of concerns.  Finally, I just cried out, “I need your help Lord. Please show me how to achieve spiritual peace in my life. Is all of this “busy-ness,” my doing or something you are calling me to? Are the things that “consume me,” my will or yours? Is my motivation, “all about me” or is it truly to Your Glory?”

… Stillness, followed by “no answer,” or so I thought…

I got to work, turned on the radio and the song Motion of Mercy by Francesca Battistelli was playing. What beautiful words! They grabbed my attention right from the first verse which started off with “I was poor, I was weak, I was the definition of the spiritually bankrupt condition.” Wow!  As the song continued the words of the chorus were just as powerful, “Changing the way and the why we are, that's the motion of mercy.” But, it was the ending of the song… “Living for the lost, loving ‘til it hurts, no matter what the cost” … that revealed once again, how God speaks to us through the words of others.

… but He wasn’t done yet...

Each day I receive an email containing an encouraging word from scripture (via K-Love).   How was I not surprised when I read today’s verse?  Micah 6:8,  “No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”

… God speaks again, but that was still not the end of it…

I follow the writings of a missionary named Michelle who is serving in the Sudan. A link to her website has been provided at the bottom of this post. Anyway, last week her blog brought me to my knees, both in tears and prayers. Her story (blog dated July 22, 2011) was about a little girl. Here is just a small sampling of what she wrote, “I come walking out of the markets to be introduced to a little girl with burnt orange rags tied on by a plastic bag. Her hair matted and eyes wild, she stares and rocks. … This little one of eight, with special needs, severely abused by men, desperately hungry and tormented by demons. OF course we take her home. SHE is the reason why I came here five years ago.”  By the way, they've named her Mercy.

Yesterday Michelle continued the saga with a powerful story about the reality of her work (blog dated July 25, 2011). She shared an amazing story about the dangers they faced just yesterday.  Again knees, tears and prayers.

Today Michelle’s blog talked about what love looks like in her world (blog dated July 26, 2011). Several of her thoughts caught my attention, especially in light of my thoughts and prayers over the last few days. She wrote that love looks like…

… laying aside the necessary and the pressing for the eternal that outweighs them all
… seeing beyond what is visible to what is true
… trusting Jesus really does have a plan for getting done that which needs getting done
… and her final sentence said, “Love looks like lessons in Mercy.”

… God used the words of others, one more time…

Today I was reminded, taught and encouraged. Through the words of others, God revealed some pretty amazing things:

… doing Kingdom work is never easy, no matter what our calling may be
… we all face unique challenges and have prayer needs, but we are not alone on the journey
… my "busy-ness" is okay, because God calms the “chaos” when I “seek” Him
… my heart is heavy, not because of my own suffering, but because of the burdens of others that God has laid upon my heart
… He knows our needs and answers our prayers, in His way and in His perfect timing
… I need to continue to listen and walk humbly
… and most importantly, I was reminded that God’s mercies really do begin afresh each day!

Today I am fighting for time with Jesus.

Today … God spoke.
God’s Peace, Donna Weaver


Michelle’s blog from the Sudan:
http://fromtheunpavedroad.com/

Song - Motion of Mercy:
Words and Music by Francesca Battistelli / Ian Eskelin
from the album Hundred More Years