One of the things that caught my attention last Sunday was when Pastor Alvin said “without a broken heart, we will never move to action.”
When I thought about what he said and let it marinate in my spirit, I was reminded of my relationship with my Dad.
Today, we have a great relationship. I can pick up the phone and call my dad if I ever need anything. I walk and talk with my dad, I hug my dad and sometimes we even tell each other we love each other. It’s still weird, I’m not going to lie. My relationship with my Dad would be classified as the greatest testimony in my life.
We didn’t start like that. In fact, we both had to grow in ways and areas that were uncomfortable to say the least but necessary in order to have what we have today.
I can only speak for myself, but I know for a fact that without a broken heart, I would not have moved to action.
I would not have mustered enough confidence to pursue a relationship with my Dad. I would not have chosen to love Him despite all the pain and anger I felt growing up. I would not have had the courage to choose to forgive him and ask him to forgive me if my heart was not broken.
The list goes on…
God broke my heart so that I could see what he saw. A man who gave his all for his family and was learning life the hard way. A man who loved the only way he knew how. A man who was broken just like me.
I’m not going to sit here and tell you that it was fun to have a broken heart. I’m not going to lie and tell you that it was easy and the process was short and sweet.
But what I will tell you is this: If you allow God to break your heart and mend it with the healing power of Jesus, it will be worth it.
A couple months ago, Jen and I went walking with my parents. Jen and my mom trailed behind us and my Dad and I ended up walking together and just talking about life. I couldn’t help but think to myself, “how did we even get here?” After all we’ve been through: ups and downs, pain and heartache, we somehow managed to get here.
By the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit, I can look at my Dad and tell you with confidence that it’s all worth it.
Father, I pray that we would be brave enough to give our hearts to God and allow Him to have His way in us. May we have the patient endurance to outlast the pain and receive the healing that comes from your son Jesus. I pray that in our brokenness we will move into action by your Holy Spirit. We love you and we need you. We pray this all in Jesus name, Amen!