Be Strong, Be Broken, Be Effective.

Jon and Angela did something outside the norm this past Thanksgiving. These good friends of mine invited several people to sit for a Thanksgiving Day meal with them (you know, the kind of feast many of us are so used to). These are people who otherwise would not have such a meal to enjoy on this American national holiday.

Turns out many people showed up.  Angela recounts the day on her blog.  CHECK IT OUT.

One point in Angela's blog stood out to me.

"There is such sadness in the lives of many of these people. One friend asked for prayer for her nephew who had been shot three days before - once in the chest and twice in the back, and no one was sure if he was ever going to walk again. Another woman told me of how some years back her husband tried to snap her spine by dropping her on her back over an ottoman. Because of this abuse, not only has her life been scarred, but she can't even hold a job because of her back injuries (along with some mental illnesses, she added). My heart really does break for these people. "

"My heart breaks for these people."  Does that describe how you feel about the people to whom God has called you?  You probably agree this takes strength.  This kind of breaking requires a higher form of stamina and perseverance.  But where does this stamina and perseverance come from?  Where do you go for strength?

I've blogged about it before:  "We don't rest from our work.  We work from our rest."  That's not an original idea of mine, but I believe it with all my heart.  Here are a couple thoughts on where this needed stamina comes from:

• An intimate and organic walk with God.  Ultimately, it is God who calls us to the needs of people.  Therefore, it is only fitting that it be God who provides what we need to do the work.
• Self care.  If we ignore the rest/work/rest/work rhythm of life, we are in danger of burning out.  It's almost as if we are ignoring the law of gravity by jumping off a tall building.  There are consequences to going against God's laws & rhythms.
• Boundaries.  There are things for which we are personally wired.  That means we are NOT wired for it all.  We run into trouble when we try to meet everyone's needs all the time.  This is a hard pill to swallow for some.  The needs are so real.  Many people helpers lose perspective.  We try to do it all.  But through the intimate & organic relationship with God we know when to say "yes" and when to say "no".
• Balance.  If you are called to meet people's needs and you are married and have kids, you need balance.  You are living 3 roles (people helper, spouse, and parent.)  Many get caught up in the people helping at the expense of their marriage or parenthood.  Then they wonder why their spouse is so upset or why their children are acting out with negative social behaviors.

Does you heart break for a cause or a segment of the population?  Great!  Pursue that brokenness.  But remember we are called to be living sacrifices.  Remain broken BEFORE God and effective FOR God.  You'll be Serving Strong!