A Burden Worth Carrying

• Over the last year and a half God has really been burdening my heart for people who are hurting, broken, lost, and spiritually and physically in need. Every book I read, almost every day as I open my bible (be it for small group bible study or my own devotional time), every sermon Dave and I listen to- the same message comes so clearly. It's been exhilarating and life changing and at times drops me to my knees or has me jumping out the door. I so desperately want to be obedient to God and passionately follow his plans for our life. I don't want to let this burden drift away with the distractions of this world.
  
  Today I woke up and was reading in Proverbs and again and again was hit by the passages that pertain to wealth, caring for others and giving. Then I was listening to a sermon which I thought was going to be about marriage and the verse that jumped out at me was from Isaiah 58.
  
  6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
  to loose the chains of injustice
  and untie the cords of the yoke,
  to set the oppressed free
  and break every yoke?
  7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry
  and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
  when you see the naked, to clothe them,
  and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
  8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
  and your healing will quickly appear;
  then your righteousness[a] will go before you,
  and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
  9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
  you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
  
  “If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
  with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
  10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
  and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
  then your light will rise in the darkness,
  and your night will become like the noonday.
  11 The LORD will guide you always;
  he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
  and will strengthen your frame.
  You will be like a well-watered garden,
  like a spring whose waters never fail.
  12 Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
  and will raise up the age-old foundations;
  you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
  Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.
  
  Oh how this is my prayer....
  
  I found this song by Lisa Chan, the wife of a well respected teacher who many of you are familiar with, Francis. The words broke my heart again.
  
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ck4r6MaG7s
  
  I don't believe in coincidences, so I was struck with the verse that runs at the very end of the video.  This scripture has been on my white board since we studied it several weeks ago in small group and it hasn't stopped resonating in my brain and heart.
  
  

  This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 

  1 John 3:16-18 

  
  

  This is also the verse that first took residence on my fridge last summer when we moved to Chilliwack. This verse, keeps reminding me that God's love is shown through my actions, not simply my words and that I need to show this broken world his love- in action.
  
  Some days I'm heavy with impatience. Heavy with the suite in our basement that continues to be empty when it could be a place of safety for someone,  heavy with a heart for the children that have no one to kiss them goodnight. Heavy with the conviction that I live with so much while so many live with so little. Heavy, with sadness for the people who who are living in darkness without the hope of Christ. Despite this heaviness, I am excited and so thankful for this burden.  I know that we are in Chilliwack for a reason. God has been so faithful in providing for us and I trust that he is working on me as my heart continues to break for women, kids, everyone who has that empty look in their eyes.
  
  I know God has given me this heart that seems to cry almost every week over the same reality of those who are dying without hope. I'm praying that God will continue to show me how to reach out, to widen my vision, and give me courage and boldness to serve whoever he puts in my path. Moreover, I pray for patience, clarity, obedience, humility and selflessness as I seek to follow him. Some days I feel exhausted with the people he has laid on my heart and put me in relationship with. Whether they are women from the shelter, woman from our neighborhood bible study or my kiddos, I often have no clue how I'm going to continue to show them the love of Christ. It is on these days that I remember Jesus words to Paul.
  

  My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. 

  - 2 Corinthians 12:9

   It is not by my ability, but the holy spirit, who gives me the strength to do what he calls me to do. I pray that all of you will find the same fulfillment that I have found in simply striving to live and love like Christ did. 
  
  
  
• A few must reads that have contributed to this almost daily conviction in order of impact on my life :)

  - The Bible specifically every one of Paul's letters, Acts, Romans 1 John, Endless Proverbs and Psalms, Isaiah 58... and the list goes on as their are over 2000 verses pertaining to poverty, social justice, and generosity.

  - Crazy Love by Francis Chan 

  - Radical and Radical Together by David Plett

  - Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborn (although there are some significant things I question/critique in this one)

  
  

  And pretty much anything that you can listen to by Francis Chan on Youtube. I think this guy is a Prophet, called to speak truth into the western world of Christianity. Here is one of my favourite clips of examples of ways that people are living out the love of Christ.
  
  
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgwqeEVFr3s