Recently I was able to serve with a ministry that goes into an area designated for those in active addiction, drug dealing, and prostitution. That experience broke my heart, but I don’t want to focus on what I saw when I looked at my surroundings. I want to focus on what I saw when I looked these people in the eye, seeing past the situation and my surroundings. I want to focus on their story, their humanity. To look at them in the light that God sees them, in only love and grace. The world may look on them with judgement and shame but thank you Jesus that you don’t see us that way. Your blood covers all. 

The following words I wrote as I began to process my experience:

God broke my heart. 

We should do more things that break our hearts. 

To see the humanity in the people around us. Look in their eyes and see a soul. A soul that may be tired, weary, and broken.

No matter where they are in their story, what they may be living in- Pick your eyes up and look around you.

The people that surround you, He died for. He will leave the 99 for the 1.

They‘re the 1 and so are you, remember that. 

What do you do when God breaks your heart? 

Embrace it. 

He uses it for his glory. 

He gives you his eyes to see his children. 

I encourage you to allow God to break your heart. Be uncomfortable, sad, confused, and angry. Feel it all. He’ll use it and he wants to.