"Two Salvation Army officers set out to found a new work, only to meet with failure and opposition. Frustrated and tired they appealed to the General to close the rescue mission. General Booth sent back a telegram with two words on it, "TRY TEARS." They followed his advice and they witnessed a mighty revival"
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"The General Next To God" by Richard Collier
Spirit-led strategies and tactics still need to be applied with a humble heart and servant spirit. A prideful and independent spirit can sabotage all of man's endeavors, no matter how profound. Psalm 34:18 tells us God is near to those who have a broken heart and contrite spirit.
Heart-felt tears are the outward evidence of being compassionate, merciful and sensitive. Tears are awakened through empathy, as we feel the urgency of the burden. Tears are the precursor to proper action. Tears energize us and move us past our fears and feelings of inadequacy.
Pope Francis visited the Nazi death-camps in Poland. He requested no one join him as he walked through the camp. He wanted to walk through this camp of suffering alone. Upon entering the camp, he signed a guest book with the words, "God, give me the grace to weep."
I have some friends who can seemingly weep whenever they talk about something that stirs their heart. I sometimes envy them. Maybe it's because they let down the shield that worries more about how we are perceived. Maybe they weep easily because their tender heart has been wounded more often than mine. Maybe tears come quickly because they have wounds that are still raw. When I see grown men weep when discussing an issue, it tells me they are not afraid to show their sensitive side... and I think that's a great strength!
Paul said to, "Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep" (Romans 12:15 NKJV). I pray God helps my heart grow more tender in the middle of this cynical world in which I live.
One of our students, upon hearing our seminar teaching on the subject of compassion, came back the next day with a great story. He told us while driving back to the seminar, he stopped at a stop sign while an unknown gentleman walked across the street in front of him. He stared at the gentleman while he walked in front of his car, and he wondered if that man knew Jesus as His savior. He wondered where this man would spend eternity. He wondered if anyone had ever told him about Christ's forgiveness. In those few seconds of wonder, something even more wonderful happened. He began to weep for this man.
Tom's Tweet: A compassionate heart is one of the greatest attributes we could ever ask God to develop in us.
Tom Elie
President/Evangelist
Oasis World Ministries
