Does Your Heart Hurt?

John Osborne

Can you name five non-Christians that you actively pray for on a daily basis? Can you name one non-Christian individual that you intentionally invest your time and energy into so that they have a Chrisitan friend and influence in their life? These questions may put you on the spot but rather than become defensive, contemplate them for a moment.

I recently listened to a podcast that suggested that we all need “one.” One person that breaks our heart over their eternal trajectory. One person that brings us to tears when we think about where they are headed for eternity if things don’t change with them and their relationship with God. I was challenged by the phrase “intentionally invest your time and energy into.”

Jesus’ heart was broken over those who were lost. He told parables about the lost coin, lost sheep, and lost son. Jesus  is quoted in Luke 19:10 as saying, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” With these things in mind please allow me to ask once again, “who is the one that you are seeking or praying for so that they will embrace Jesus as their Savior and Lord?” Does your heart hurt for their soul? I think it’s easy to want to move on to another topic because most of us don’t like to hurt.

Let me take this a step further. Sometimes we can dismiss our own role when we hear the broad phrase, “Go into all the world and make disciples of all nations.” (The Great Commission) But if we bring it down to “one” it becomes more personal. All of us can invest in one person - one soul. If no one comes to your mind right away, I would encourage you to pray for God to direct you to that person that He would have you pray for, invest in, and even weep over.

We are talking about eternity.