Help them see their need for You

Three months ago you would have found me sitting inside of my doctor's office being asked the question, "How are the headaches, Jennifer?" To which you would have heard my reply, "They are great. No headaches. I have realized that I am not the Savior." My doctor did not understand this answer but I went on to explain.

Two years ago I found myself suffering immense headaches and immense stress. While there may have been medical components I feel a large part of this occurrence was stress. I had found myself in a position where I so desperately longed for others to know Christ that I was physically showing signs of stress and tension in my body. To some this may sound good. To live a life this poured out for Jesus seems to be a great way to live but the problem was that I was taking the responsibility of others finding salvation on my own shoulders. I was not only carrying this burden I was internalizing the burden. I was trying to be the Savior. My intentions were pure but I was distracted in my spirit.

While my intentions were pure I was living as if it was MY responsibility to save everyone around me. One morning as I was praying I clearly sensed the Lord saying, "You are not the Savior." In that moment something changed deep within me. A weight was taken off my shoulders. I began to see that I was not loving people just to love them. I was trying to love them into salvation.

Dennis Kinlaw discusses the objective that you can pray for the salvation of others but until the individual sees their need for Christ they will not yield their lives to Him. This is not a finger pointing prayer towards the negative areas in ones life but a prayer that God would touch the depths of their soul so they desire an intimate relationship with the Heavenly Father.

My intentions have not changed. I will do anything Christ calls me to but I will do it without selfish ambition and with God in control - not myself. I have found joy, peace and rest in Christ living this way. I truly believe I am able to love others as Christ calls me to love them. It is pure love.

God does not call us to serve Him and then leave us to walk alone. He sees the burdens upon you and longs to carry them with you. May the prayer of our hearts be,
"Lord, help them to see their need for you."