Ministering from a Full Heart
Good morning, dear friend. Today is a miracle, and so are you!
We've spent the past two days reflecting on an actual 24-hour period from the life of Jesus. This single day was comprised of pressure, and we are learning how He navigated those challenges.
Today, let’s focus on how we can minister to others from a full heart, just as Jesus did.
Jesus viewed people as opportunities, not interruptions. He had compassion for them, seeing their needs and pain. Mark 6:34 says, “When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd.” (Mark 6:34 NIV)
In response to their pain, “he began teaching them many things.” The Greek word for compassion, splanchnizomai, means to feel someone’s pain deeply, in your gut. Jesus felt the pain of those He encountered—in the deepest part of His being—and He responded with love and healing.
To minister from a full heart, we must first fill our own hearts with God’s love. Jesus often went off to pray, seeking solitude and connection with His Father. When we truly connect with God, He fills us with His strength and enables us to serve others effectively.
Remember, stress comes when we spend too much time outside of our calling and passion. Jesus kept the main thing, the main thing. He unapologetically focused on people and their journey to God. Rescuing and restoring them was the top priority of this Savior.
On April 12, 1912, the luxury liner Titanic sank into the frigid water of the Northern Atlantic. When I think of the Titanic, along with the loss of life, I also think of a young man who was under immense pressure in that heartbreaking situation—Harold Godfrey Lowe, the fifth officer on the Titanic. Harold was in charge of a single lifeboat that escaped from the sinking ship.
Harold Lowe became a hero, not because he solely wanted that status, but because his heart would not allow him to turn his back on those in the water. After the Titanic sank, he was the only one to return to the scene, searching for survivors. He saved a few lives because he couldn’t stand by and do nothing. He acted from a place of compassion and courage. He and the people of Lifeboat 14 risked their own lives to save a “precious few.”
friend, you may feel inadequate, overwhelmed, or stressed, but God knows how you feel. He’s been there. When the pressure is on, let’s listen to God’s voice and respond to the needs of those around us. Let’s row back into the darkness and rescue those who are drowning without Jesus. We can make a difference! Let’s pray...
Lord, fill our hearts with Your love and compassion. Help us to see people as opportunities to share Your love. Give us the strength to minister from a full heart, just as Jesus did. In Your name, Amen.
Never forget, my friend, you are a miracle!
