Opened eyes, Broken hearts

...Open up my eyes to the things unseen...Show me how to love like You have loved me...Break my heart for what breaks Yours everything I have for Your Kingdoms cause... This early morning, before the sun had made its mark on a new day, I sat next to a man...a man who was covered in a thick film of dirt and grease...unattractive to the world...a man no one desired to sit next to. He sat in the Starbucks going through thrown out newspapers, collecting all the coupons he could find. And there beside him I sat well kept and well dressed going through my Bible reading about a hope that does not disappoint and a God of justice and righteousness. As people walked past us I felt their eyes looking at us both - a young woman and an old man, side by side, different worlds, both seeking...what a contrast. As I sat there next to him my heart grew for him...I didn't know him, nor his story...but I was moved and I wanted him to know that there is someone who cares...me in myself, no!...Christ in me, yes! I got up because I felt led to put some money on a gift card so that he could choose what he wanted for breakfast. I wrote one line of encouragement, praying that he would know the message and the heart behind it...I handed it to him and he thanked me in a quiet voice without looking up, and as I walked away I genuinely prayed a blessing over that man. I may never see him again, but he has not left my thoughts or my prayers and the Lord was and is using him in my life...lifting the mirrored glasses from my eyes causing me to see beyond myself...I live in a lost sad world and the reality of that presses hard upon my heart, I have numbed myself for too long, and the brokenness and heartache is setting in. As Christians we have been given a wonderful invitation - a blessing - that we can go freely before His throne...the veil was torn. He beckons us to come! But do we? I know for the longest time I wouldn't...and even if I turned in that direction from a distance I would pray for myself ~ never fully entering in...never fully humble nor vulnerable. This is something I struggle with every day and will continue to be a battle for the rest of my life...because this is a battle field friends! How are we equipping ourselves? Are we putting on truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, salvation, and the spirit? WE DO NOT WRESTLE AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD! We are called to be serious and watchful in our prayers and He promises to meet us. I started a prayer group because I desire that accountability to remain steadfast and to fight and endure in prayer...to draw closer to the throne of my God to climb up on my Fathers lap and feel His heart beat...Oh how deeply He loves us! So deeply that when just one of us is lost His broken heart pursues us to the end. I desire that my heart will break for what breaks His...which is no where close to an easy prayer to pray because He says what you ask that He will do that He may be glorified...and the floodgates will open and knock you off your feet and onto your face. As Elijah prayed "Lord God...let it be known this day that You are God. Hear me, O Lord, hear me that the people may know that You are God, and that You have turned their hearts back to You again. May we be praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance...and may He open our mouths boldly to proclaim His gospel of truth. Because the effective, FERVENT prayer of the righteous man avails much! Do NOT loose heart and anticipate to see God move! God give us hearts of expectation and urgency. We are summoned by the King, lifted by a Savior, and carried into the Masters courts.