Does GOD call specific people who have specific pain into the authority of empathy?
As the calling on my life has unfolded I have had an aching in my heart for people to be connected, to carry each others burdens, to know that GOD loves them, to know that in HIM there is freedom.
Half way through Anointed Transformed and Redeemed: A Study of David authored by Priscilla Shirer, Beth Moore and Kay Arthur I have shared hours with women in pain. Pain from a special needs child, pain from a strained marriage, pain from finances, pain from children gone astray, pain from broken friendships, pain from physical ailments, pain from the unknown. A pain that causes confusion. Pain that causes anger toward GOD. A pain that keeps us in bondage from experiencing HIS abundant love for us.
Through this time with women I also sense a longing, a desire to connect with others. A connection at a deeper level. A level of longing. Longing for understanding and unconditional love. A longing to be real and authentic. A longing to seek HIM and understand HIM intimately.
GOD is a faithful GOD true to HIS promises. As this time has passed I have seen HIM working mightily in and through these women as well as in and through me. It is amazing to see HIS glory and HIS fruit as we bow in obedience to HIM and HIS anointing on our lives.
As we journey through our life knowing GODS promises and clinging to them with all our might, with all our heart, there is often still a feeling of defeat. Archbishop Desmond Tutu once said.."LOVE is much more demanding than law." Is this what makes it so difficult to TRUST our GOD. LOVE is demanding. It demands us to die to ourselves and our selfish ambitions. Love demands us to put all of our anger and pain aside and look to HIM. HE is LOVE. It demands us to sift through the pain of our existence, of our past, of our present and lay it at HIS feet and heed his calling and anointing on our lives. It demands us to LOVE others as HE first loved us. We ask HIM to forgive our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. We must forgive those who have hurt us.
You see HE wants us to rely solely on HIM. HE wants us to have the most intimate relationship with HIM because HE first loved us. HE wants us to stop trying to manipulate HIM, stopping trying to do it our way and relate to HIM the way he relates to us. HE is our FATHER. HE knows what is best for us even when we are unsure about our situation and we believe we can handle it on our own. Let HIM dwell in the innermost secret places of our hearts.
These women need each other. Need each other for encouragement, discernment and ultimately for HIS glory.
HE wants us to be in relation with each other to carry each others burdens. HIS WORD says "Whenever two or more are gathered, I am there". Is it possible that if you listen closely to HIS whisper and you obey HIM FULLY and WHOLE HEARTEDLY that HE will use you to be a Wounded Healer, a person who has experienced pain and can empathize and educate others about HIS unfailing LOVE and HIS promises. To share with others and acknowledge GODS ability to provide security for those who seek HIM first.
As we acknowledge HIS work in and through us and we are left in awe saying "Who am I, O Sovereign LORD, and what is my family that you have brought me this far?" We are able to be healed/forgiven. AS we acknowledge that GOD is up to something good in us, something crucial to our spiritual growth we are able to embrace GODS healing and turn away from our sinful nature and devastation experiencing only his divine restoration. Through our healing others can begin to see and desire what you have. Through HIM you then can be that someone who offers healing to a sister in pain.
King David sinned. He did not wallow in his sin he repented and seeked the LORD. David had a heart for the LORD and GOD used him in a mighty way to see the fulfillment of HIS promises (2 Samuel 7:18-29). Allow GOD to use you in a mighty way! Be a Wounded Healer!
HE is the ALPHA and the OMEGA. The same yesterday, today, tomorrow and forever! HE never leaves us or forsakes us! HE chose you! HE chose to LOVE you! HE chose to prosper you. Have courage to see the fulfillment of GODS promises and share HIS love with the wounded.
In HIM Authentically!
