Break my heart for what breaks yours

Somewhere in time, this week, I have been listening to a Casting Crowns song.  The title is “Jesus, Friend of Sinners.”  This may sound a little crazy, but the song bothers me.  I agree with the message of the song and I see their point.  There is a line in the chorus where the singer asks God, to break my heart for what breaks yours.  I don’t think as humans we can handle that.  If we saw all the evil and all the hurt, we would crawl under a rock and never come out. 

The song has other points.  It points out that as Christians, we sometimes are perceived as judgmental. We tend to point out the wrong instead of caring for the hurting.  Sometimes we do point out the fault in others, while ignoring the fault in ourselves.  All of this is true and can be dealt with.  As Christian’s we think that we need to clean people up before we lead them to Christ, either that or directly after.  The funny thing is, that’s not our job.  We can definitely disciple, mentor, encourage and pray for people, but we can’t become the judge and jury.  When someone truly accepts Christ and surrenders their heart to his leadership, He will nudge them towards seeking holiness.  Sometimes, in our attempts to help, we make matters worse.

Romans 12:2 (NIV) “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

I think transformation takes time.  When a person first comes to Christ, transformation is inevitable.  God will change you.  How quickly the change happens is dependent upon the person and upon God.  You and I can help, but that is about all.  For me, realizing it’s not my job to fix everyone was a major revelation.  I can give advice, but I can’t be hurt when someone doesn’t take it. 

Back to the line that bothers me.  “Break my heart for what breaks yours.”  I want to see people as Jesus sees them.  No preconceived ideas, no hidden agendas.  I want to show the love of Christ, freely given, expecting nothing in return.  I don’t want to know all the evil that exits in this world.  The little I know about is heart breaking enough.  So my prayer is not for God to break my heart for what breaks his, but to allow my heart to break for the things I can handle.  The few things I can do something about. 

James 1:27 (NIV) “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”

This is something I can handle.  I can’t help every widow and every orphan, but if I can help one here and one there, I am practicing pure religion.  I don’t think God cares that I am a light weight.  He gave me a sensitive heart for a reason and he knows how much I can bear.  I’m very thankful he does.

Casting Crowns - Jesus, Friend of Sinners (Official Music Video) from casting-crowns on GodTube.