Other People's Pain

The Christian Journey changes you and it normally doesn’t hurt ….much.

If Jesus cared about other people’s pain, then as we become more and more like him we care more and more instead of less and less.

Let me explain that we will all grow differently in this.

Our God deals with as individuals on our journey. I am going to use me as an example, not because I am so good or so obedient, but because I have seen so much of a change in me.

For me, over the past seven years or so, I have allowed myself to enter into opportunities the share people’s pain. It is just part of being a pastor, right?

I guess that is true, for pastors and others in the church, meeting people where they hurt is a part of the call on our lives. But, we can limit even that and still serve God and his church.

I have mentioned in our prayer time that I meet people at the hospital sometimes.

Not because I am there visiting others but, because the Chaplin at Redmond asked if he can leave my name on his backup list for when he is out of town or tied up.

I said yes about 7 years ago and from time to time my cell phone rings and I know it means trouble when they ask, is this Rev. Bowen.

It really only happens once or twice a year.

-An unexpected death.

-A suicide attempt.

-A person fearing their mortality.

-A family discussing the stopping of care for a loved one when nothing else can be done with human hands.

-A family needing prayer when they don’t think they have their own connection to God. This one is the most common….

Folks to pray for someone, it really helps if you allow yourself to feel their pain, their fear, their hunger and understand that they are so often in a dark place and they feel trapped.

Every time one of these calls comes, I get a little ach in my heart because I know it will very soon be broken again.

I pray all the way to the hospital that God is working where I am headed and that he guide my listening, and direct every word.

And most importantly help me pray there words that the listeners need to hear.

Do you know that every time I head to the hospital on one of these missions, I ask myself, “Why do I let them leave my name on their list?”

On the other hand, every time I leave, I end up praising God for his allowing me, watch him work a miracle right in front of me…

-- Tom doesn’t have the ability to calm people’s spirit because his tong trips up too much and he says the wrong then all too often.

-- I know it is God because, Tom does not have the power to heal people’s pain even for a minute.

-- I know it is His Spirit in me because I over hear the words He uses, I hear the burdens and witness the release when He speaks to their hearts.

Where are you on your Journey, have you started feeling other people’s pain?

We will close this morning with a series of pictures….

Look at them and see if you can let your self experience what Jesus would feel…

SLIDE SHOW UNTIL END

Jesus was all about Other People’s Pain. He has already suffered for us.

His suffering on our behalf is his way of showing how much He cared for all of us.