For almost 2 ½ months I have been living in the Philippines. Every day I fall more and more in love with the people here. I get those warm fuzzies.
But when you fall in love, your heart becomes more susceptible to break.
When someone you love is in need of something, and there is nothing you can do about it…that is heart breaking. I could be talking about the children who need parents. I could be referring to that old man on the bridge whose limbs are missing and needs a home. Or maybe the girls that I adore, who come to Bible study for the Word and a meal, and go back to broken homes. My heart breaks for those things.
But the more and more I have fallen in love with the people here, the more my heart breaks for their need for Jesus.
There is a typhoon coming. A super typhoon. Category 5. Here they call it Typhoon Yolanda; the rest of the world calls it Typhoon Haiyan. It is approaching the Philippines and is going to be the largest storm of the world of 2013. Winds are supposed to reach 173 mph. Looking at weather maps it seems bigger than the country itself. Evacuations are taking place to save lives, but there is that quiet reality that not everyone can be saved. Not every person in the typhoon’s path will be protected.
Evacuations are hurriedly taking place…shelter and protection are being sought out…
And here I am, on a “safer” island, in this condo typing on this laptop; away from the line of destruction; safe. I can go about my day like usual, and the most affected I may be is that it is raining a lot outside. All I can do is pray.
My prayers have shifted.
Psalm 29. The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders…The voice of the Lord is powerful…full of majesty…[it] causes the oaks to whirl, and strips the forest bare; and in his temple all say, “Glory!” The Lord sits enthroned over the flood…May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace!
God’s voice and his presence is more powerful than the winds and the raging waters that are coming over this nation.
Psalm 16. Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; we have no good apart from you.” …I keep the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, my soul rejoices; my body also rests secure…You show me the path of life, in your presence there is fullness of joy…
Our joy in the Lord and our faith in Him do not move. We rejoice. We worship. “We praise you in the storm.” He is still Lord.
My prayers have shifted.
Fall in love for these people with me.
Let your heart break with mine.
Pray with me.
Lord, I pray for the hearts of the people here. I pray that they will turn to you in this time of chaos. I pray they see your steadfast love. By your grace, open their eyes to see you, and not the storm around them. I pray for protection and mercy over this nation, but above all I pray for a revival in this storm. That this nation will find peace and comfort in you alone. Open our ears to hear your voice over the raging waters and powerful winds. Bring us to our knees before you…let us worship…and know that you are Lord.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
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