It never ceases to amaze me. The amount of people I see and encounter, who have had such brokenness, and pain. From years of rejection, abuse and neglect.

Due to the parent (or parents) who thinks they are "cool", for having no boundaries for their children. To the ones who just don’t care. Who neglect the very basic things a child needs, or desires. Such as love, boundaries, acceptance and encouragement. To know that they are worth something, that they are valuable. To the ones who take our their anger and hostilities on their family. Who absue them in some awful ways.

I wonder if many of them have any idea what they do to their children? They grow up thinking no one cares. In most cases this is what it usually is. Or the parents are "inept", they don’t realize the damage they are doing. So these kids grow up. Doing poorly in school. Have a terrible image of their worth. They think they are not worth anything, so they "aspire" to that image. Then when they start to come of age. Many become promiscuous. Trying to grasp at some chance of feeling loved. Even if it's only to be physically desired by someone (for worse). While others view them as "loose". They are only wanting to feel like they are loved, that someone cares for them.

 It's totally heart breaking to see a world in which little value is placed on a persons life. From an infant not yet even born, to an orphaned child no one wants. But possessions, money, fame fortune ...basically "selfishness", is at the top of everyone's list.

The world turns its head blind to the hurt and pain. Many of us also turning our heads ...but God sees it all.

And what is as equally sad, is this. We as believers, everyday, have opportunities all around us to do something about it. But most of the time we do nothing. We are so wrapped up in our own "neat little worlds". That we miss so much going right on in front of us!

Instead of reaching out our hands to the world around us. Those that are hurting in such pain (both internally and externally). Those that Christ's heart cries for. We hold out our finger, wagging, pointing at them, judging, thinking we are better, than them. While all the while, their hearts cry out, just wishing that someone cared. For someone to reach out and take their hand.

You know there is a going to be a day. When we all stand before God. And He is going to ask, "where was your heart, when those who were hurting cried out for someone to care?" "Longing for love and mercy?"

"And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’

"Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

"Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’

"Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?' Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

                 (Matthew 25:33-46 NKJV)

You know its sad. Sad that as we sit in our own little "comfy" worlds. Even as we sit in church. That there are those outside. A child running away from an abusive home. Another one crying out for someone to love them. A teenage girl giving herself away, wanting to feel love and accepted. A prostitute who doesn’t feel that they were created for anything better. Not worthy of being love. A person trying to keep themselves on a "high" to forget about life. Another one failing as they try and commit suicide again. Having no one care for them. An orphan still in a states care, because they are "too old" to be adopted. Because they are not a "cute nice new baby" that a family can convince themselves that this child was born (soley) to them. So they (the family) keep looking for the "new one". A broken man who beats his wife and children because he never knew, nor received any better himself. A dying person, with no one to sit and care as they leave this painful, sinful and sad world.

You know there are so many opportunities to serve this dying world. And carry the love of Jesus. And share the cure for the "human factor" (that we all struggle with), and all the pains and hurts of this world. The healing "balm" that this world needs. And ultimately the eternal love, grace and forgiveness that only comes from the Father. Through His Son Jesus (1 JN 2:2)!

 ...When are we going to get this?

And understand this (?):

 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

                  (Matthew 28:19-20 NKJV)

We are to carry the message of Jesus Christ to this dying world! But not only is it about sharing the love of Christ, the gospel. But its also about living it! Showing it, etc. We are to help "usher" in the Kingdom. But how can we do this if we neglect the basic needs of people? How is this sharing His truth?

 "If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."

                   (James 2:15-17 NKJV)

If the Spirit of God truly dwells within us (JN 14:17), when are we going to care? When are we going to take notice?

You know Jesus told us that in the last days the love of many will "grow cold" (MT 24:12). It seems that so much of this has permeated, not only this world, but the church itself!

If we are so wrapped up in the cares of, "our" world. That the visions of these things we see every day, do not move us. As we go through our daily lives. Then perhaps its time we ask the Lord, "Lord, break my heart for what breaks yours".

Afterall, you know God cared (and cares) so much about you, that He reached down to meet you where you are at. He gave everything for you. He gave His own Son to die for you (JN 3:16). Do you think that His heart cares any less for anyone else?

And think about this. If Jesus is the light of the world. And that light resides within us. And we are to shine that light forth. Where is your light shining?

 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."

                 (Matthew 5:14-16 NKJV)

You see it all comes down to this. Where is your heart? If you truly know who Jesus Christ is. And you know Him intimately. How can your heart turn away? Do the tears of another cause you to look away. Is it easier than to try and reach out? Or do they move you, but you feel helpless. Or the cares of your own world, are too overwhelming for you.

 ...Or could be it be, that you just don't care?

If you really love Jesus. If you really do, "love God with all your heart, your mind, your soul, your strength" (Mk 12:30)?

Think on this:

 "My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment."

                  (1 John 3:18-23 NKJV)