This summer I participated in a ladies Bible Study at my church entitled "Nehemiah - A heart that can break" by Kelly Minter. If you ever get the chance to do this study, DO IT! It's awesome! The study goes through the entire book of Nehemiah and throughout it, Kelly continuously asks us "what has God put on your heart to do?"
Nehemiah was a Jew, born in Persia during the exile, and a cupbearer to the king. He was living in a Persian resort when he heard that Nebuchadnezzer had destroyed the temple in Jerusalem. His heart broke so deeply for the suffering Jews that he left the comfort of his Persian palace to help rebuild their temple. "Nehemiah had to have a heart that could break to restore a wall that was broken." The Book of Nehemiah goes on to chronicle his determination, prayer, struggles and challenges in seeing the wall rebuilt and temple worship restored.
Let me ask YOU: "What has God put in your heart to do?" You may not be in a position to leave your job like Nehemiah, but surely He has given you a heart than can break. Who does your heart break for? As Kelly states, " it may require the personal sacrifice of money, time, or emotional energy. It could mean praying for courage and asking someone to dinner, church, or a walk in the park. Perhaps there's a group of young women you can teach the Bible to, even if you don't think of yourself as a Bible teacher. When embraced by God's grace, the call to serve is no longer a guilt-trip but the gospel."
For me, God has put on my heart to get more TeenMOPS groups started in central and eastern NY. He is already opening doors to allow this to start happening. I just need to get over my own fears and anxiety and do it!
He's also put a burden in my heart to see a Prison MOPS group start up somewhere. There are women's prisons in Rome and in Westchester. I need to continue to seek God and let my heart be broken for these women. My heart also breaks for homeless and drug-addicted women who feel they have no hope. Reading a recent article in the Post Standard about a local ministry in Syracuse called Exodus House really tugged at my heart. (www.exodus3ministries.org) I know all of these are things that God has put on my heart to do and get involved in.
Your turn - what has God put on your heart to do? I'd love to hear from you!! Maybe we share similar passions and burdens.
Your turn - what has God put on your heart to do? I'd love to hear from you!! Maybe we share similar passions and burdens.
Let me close with another quote from Kelly, "God stands to accomplish the impossible through us while too often we're content to settle for the explainable. The impossible requires taking time to listen for what He has put in our heart to do. It means believing that He will accomplish what He has spoken."
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