Hi, friends. The Lord has shared some things with me tonight that I just can't help but repeat to all who read this post.

Today in a worship service, the leader said, "I find it strange that we are all going to the same place but never turn around to see who is walking beside us." She compared this to flying on a plane or riding in an elevator. We all have the same destination, but we never enjoy those who are along for the ride with us.

Those words really resonated in my spirit.

Prior to that, my roommate and I were having a conversation about a friend of mine back home.

We were talking about crappy circumstances that people endure, and how said people don't know how to overcome those situations and look for the Lord, because they were never taught how. Because of what they have been taught, no matter how many times they hear how good God is, it tends to fall on deaf ears because they have never learned better.

So, with that said, something I have prayed for over the past few months or so is empathy to reach the lost. Not necessarily those who have never heard the gospel, but my friends who know the Good News and have belittled it in their own lives.

The Lord has given me just what I asked for and given me a spirit of empathy towards the broken and lost.

I feel like the Lord has called us to be his hands and feet. He calls us to love them well and to share our resources and time with people that are in need.

So often I feel like Christians are the type to look at our friends and neighbors and see their outward circumstance and their actions and pass judgment because they aren't like us or have less than us or are not living a life worthy of their calling. But aren't those the people who need to hear and see the Gospel the most?

My heart is heavy because so many times people who say they love well and are followers of Jesus Christ are the first to throw the stone and cast judgment on those who have fallen astray or have never been taught to see Jesus for who he is in their lives. I pray that my Christian friends and family who read this take a moment to think about times they were broken and someone showed them who Jesus was. I pray that you remember times when you (or someone you know) were broken and not living a life worthy of your calling. Remember the person and the passage of scripture or song (whatever it was) that reminded you of the power of Jesus Christ and the goodness that He has to offer you.

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Think about that when you see people who are hurting and broken, and living a life of sin or drowning in behaviors that we don't deem Biblical. Maybe they need you to reach out and mentor them. Maybe they need you to say a kind word, take them to lunch, be their friend or figure of authority they have never known. We all need a little help now and then.

And to my unchurched, broken, hurting, sad, scared of religion friends who are reading this: I pray that you give us Jesus followers another chance to be the Church. I pray that although circumstances are not ideal, you will see Jesus for who He is and be willing to accept that he has something good planned for you despite your situation. I also pray that you would not use your situation as an excuse for a sinful lifestyle. I pray that you will stand up and stand out despite what you have experienced.

I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts, and you have the power to understand how wide and long and high His love really is. And that you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.