What is your heart broken by?

Scriptures: The sacrifices of God are a broken heart; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.” (Psalm 51:17)

In 1947, on a mission trip for Youth for Christ to China, Rev. Bob Pierce met a lady by the name of Tena Hoelkedoer. She introduced to Rev. Pierce a battered and abandoned child named White Jade. She asked Rev. Pierce, “What are you going to do about her?” Rev. Pierce gave the woman his last five dollars and agreed to send the same amount each month to help the woman raise this child.

This encounter pierced his heart. In the flyleaf of his bible, he wrote, “Let my heart be broken with the things that breaks the heart of God.” His life was totally changed. He was consumed with the mission to care for the poor, especially the children. He came back to North America and started his life-long quest to serve those in need. In his quest, he first founded World Vision International which has now grown to be one of the largest humanitarian organizations that serves people in need in near 100 countries around the world. He later also founded another Christian organization, Samaritan’s Purse, for evangelistic missions.

His compassion for those in need was moving, as evidenced in his speeches and efforts. One time, he was asked by Frank Graham how to “shake people off their complacency.” He said he had “become a part of the suffering. I literally felt the child’s blindness, the mother’s grief…. It was all too real to me when I stood before an audience.” Bob identified with those in suffering. He was there with them and he lived their pains. But that wasn’t all there was for he went with a determination that he was willing to be heart-broken with anything that would break the heart of God. I think, it was this heart that first of all felt the heart of God that empowered him to accomplish what he had done in the name of Christ.

It was a time of war and restless when Bob saw White Jade. It was one man and one child back in 1947. But, today, millions of children’s lives have been changed through millions of God’s people’s joint efforts around the world. That is great!

But, if we take a look at the world we are in today, there’s still wars and restlessness. It’s ironic to see some countries spending billions of dollars hosting international conferences and events while relying on international support to help and rebuild the lives of the victims of natural disasters in their backyard. Something is wrong, and terribly wrong! Yet, the bottom line is the needs are still great out there. From 1947 till now, I wonder just how much we have really improved human conditions!

Those needs we see in developing countries exist on our streets, too. Those homeless, victims of child abuse and domestic abuse, poverty and illness, the list of needs goes on and on. I don’t know how much we can do individually. But, I think we should, at a minimum, be able to feel their suffering and needs lest we become what Jesus warned His disciples about, “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.” (Matthew 24:12)

Maybe we are not called to do great things like Bob. But, what are we allowing to break our hearts with? Nothing and no one? I think, for everyone God sends our way, there must be something we can do, a few dollars, a phone call for help, a ride to take them to a mission / shelter, and more. May God help us to become more effective vessels of His love and grace that usher people in the divine opportunities to know Him, the one and only true life-transformer.

Prayer Request:
For children in poverty

Prayers:

Father of mercy, please help us to be more sensitive to the needs of people around us and around the globe. We thank You for the beautiful footprints of many who have walked in accordance with Your heart before us in testimonies of Your true and life-changing love. Help us to be Your arms and hands to reach out to those in need for we ask in the name of our Lord and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, A-men!