Magnet to the Broken Hearted – A Strategic Calling

All those the Father gives me will come to me,
and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.
John 6:37

Painfully, I had a crush on plenty-o-boys in my teens, but this unusually tall, impossibly awkward, toothpick of an 11th grader, that “loved” me, was not one of them.  Day after day I could feel him chasing me down in between classes, tiny folded notes in hand.  He bore his soul on the regular.

Months before, I’d spotted him sitting alone after school and caught his eye to offer a friendly smile. I had no idea how desperate his heart was to be seen and that this glance would transmit a million signals I’d never intended. Initially, his pursuit was innocent, with all the cliches of a 90’s mix tape. But, in his desperation, he interpreted my tolerance as mutual affection. Eventually, I crushed his heart, and, from there, our hallway encounters transitioned into his sending me messages via laser eyes of hate.

A magnet to the broken-hearted.

There is no need for a church salary to anoint the call to this ministry. It finds you right where you are…

The by-product of the Holy Spirit working in your life means that people will be drawn to you.

They will see things in you and believe you can complete things in them. And you’ll work hard to do it, willingly dropping it all, on repeat, to answer the phone, sit on the floor beside, and rehash the details of their every emotion.

Indeed, it’s a very real personality trait that, at times, can feel impossible to navigate with grace. Despite every good intention, people can suck the very marrow from your bones if you don’t learn how to use this intrinsically God-given talent the way the Father purposed.

On one hand, getting in the trenches with the hearts He longs to transform is a critical part of God’s rescue plan (we’ve experienced it during our own seasons of crisis, having survived better because of those people who jumped into the ditch with us). On the other hand, can you (yes, you) bring sustainable value to this table with that mindset?

On any given day, I meet with women.

Sometimes it’s been on the calendar for months.  Sometimes, it’s a text that says “I’m on your front porch”.  And it’s unmistakable, I’m called to adjust my life for ladies that I love.  But, despite these deep pockets of personal sacrifice, I have not served all of them well.  For years, I misunderstood one small, but massively significant differentiation:

WE ARE NOT CALLED TO BE JESUS TO OTHERS. WE’RE CALLED TO POINT PEOPLE TO JESUS.

Unquestionably, we’re built to create community… the sum parts of His body here on earth.  And, picking up the tools we have in our bag of experience, we can plow, making fertile the ground of others. But be aware, because your role is but a stepping stone to the freedom someone needs.  The gift you have to make people feel seen, along with the natural momentum you bring to the party, can initially look a lot like the hands and feet of Jesus, yet can easily shift into the most dangerous zone of their co-dependency.  And that is one slippery slope.

Honest Truth? I will fight hard for you, but I will eventually fail you.  My patience will inevitably wear thin; my ability to commiserate, grow old; my words, not always inspire.  And you will still need me when I’m tired and tapped out.  When I try to BE Jesus to others, (like maybe He doesn’t have time to do it Himself) in a twist of fate, I end up disappointing the people I’ve been bleeding out to support.

You and I cannot build someone’s confidence to a head-held-high life of worth.

BUT GOD CAN.

We cannot break through the gripping blinders of depression.

BUT GOD DOES.

We will not be able to heal the unspeakable pains of another’s past.

BUT GOD LONGS TO.

We can’t pull lies out by the roots or repair the damage of a ruthless enemy.

BUT GOD’S SON BLED FOR THESE VERY THINGS.

Jesus says, “Come to Me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

When we confuse what we have to offer with what the Father has to offer, we miss our calling: Pulling out the Lamp unto their feet, so He can become the light to the full path.  We’re not the answer, but we absolutely know how to get them to The One Who Is.

Now, go on and check your front porch because you’re drawing people in for a reason.

---

For more on the incredible nature of your, most personal, calling, read about: The Hats We Wear