Gaining His heart

Lately, I have felt something I have never felt with such intensity before. Sure, the feeling has been present in my soul in the past, and God has just increased it over the years as I continue to gain His heart for those around me. But feeling it to this level? Well, it’s all new…

You see, there are a group of children that I have the privilege of spending every Monday evening with and usually other times throughout the week, as well. All it takes is one of them to look up at me with their sweet, innocent little face, and I break. I want to wrap each and every single one of them in my arms and never let go. I want to hold each one until all their pain is gone. All I want is to pour HIS love into them. Dear God, break me more for these precious ones…

As I have been studying through the book of I Thessalonians, I have come across certain phrases that I had never really given much thought to, skipped over, and maybe thought were kind of strange before. Phrases such as,

“So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the Gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because you were dear unto us.” 2: 8

“We exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father does his children.” 2:11

“But we, brethren, being taken (to bereave of a parent; to be rendered an orphan) from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored the more abundantly to see your face with great desire…For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even you in the Presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy.” 2: 17, 19-20

“For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord. For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for you sakes before our God: night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and mighty perfect that which is lacking in your faith? 3: 8-10

However, now I understand what Paul meant.

The Thessalonians weren’t Paul’s actual children, obviously. Yet, he felt such deep affection and love for them, it seemed like they were. This is what God has been doing in my heart for these precious children I get to work with. Everything with me longs to see them come to know the Gospel. And, like 2:8 says, I am so willing to just spend and spill my life for them, not only giving them the Gospel.

And though I long to just pour my life into them constantly and ache after just a day or two of not seeing them, He has called me to “night and day pray exceedingly” that they might come to know Him and be raised up into mighty men and women of Truth. Will I, and you also, choose to stand between the hurt, vulnerable, and weak around the world and the enemy, who only wants to destroy them?

“And He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor…” Isaiah 59: 16

“I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him…I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not, I searched out. And I broke the jaws of the wicked, and plucked the spoil of his teeth.” Job 29

“He pleads effectively because he gives his life for those he pleads for; he is their genuine representative. He has submerged his self-interest in their needs and sufferings, and as far as possible has literally taken their place.” Norman Grubb, Rees Howells: Intercessor

“While women weep, as they do now, I'll fight; while children go hungry, as they do now I'll fight; while men go to prison, in and out, in and out, as they do now, I'll fight; while there is a drunkard left, while there is a poor lost girl upon the streets, while there remains one dark soul without the light of God, I'll fight; I'll fight to the very end!” William Booth