The Brokenhearted
The passage of time drives things from conscious memory. As we make choices, life gives challenges and we become far-removed from deeds and thoughts of former time and place. Things change. Occasionally, however, a wandering thought returns people and events to mind. The clarity of remembrance varies, but it is always bittersweet. When we have time to think, we wonder, “Whatever happened to…”
Happily, we sometimes find the ghosts of our pasts have met with good fortune and genuine joy. Some of the images of yesterday, however, harm and hurt. Some are not to be found at all. What dark road led them to calamity, and how did they feel when their vessel was beset by the tempest? Were they able to share their burdens, and did anyone really care enough to hear them? Whatever happened to…
I once told a friend that I sometimes felt guilty about not staying in touch with folks. The reply came, “Well, they didn’t stay in touch with you.” ‘Nuff said. I have had the unfortunate privilege of being in several tight spots. The real truth regarding folks in difficulty is this: No…one…ever…calls. Now, it is true that people are not overly open regarding their pains, and I’d like to think that few of my friends knew of my trials. But they did.
“I didn’t know what to say” is not an adequate response to hurting people. It also does not fulfill the law of Christ. What does a phone call cost you? Oh, that’s right, you have a cell phone, and it doesn’t cost you anything. All around us are brokenhearted, disillusioned people (some of them friends), yet we stand by as if their hurts are none of our concerns. The day will dash our dreams, as well. As Will Munny said, “We’ve all got it comin’.”
When I see an old home deserted and in disrepair, it makes me sad. I think, “One day, this house was new, and the homeowners were so excited.” I wonder what steps led to its ruin. Many lives need repair before they finally fall in. And fall in they will if they are left alone. In the New Testament time, Samaritans were thought of as bad things. Today, we think of them as good things because of Jesus’ teaching on friendship.
In the synagogue at Nazareth, Jesus read from Isaiah, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted.” This is only a portion of what He read, but helping people in need is a portion of what we are to do as His followers. Jesus went on saying, “I am fulfilling this Scripture today.” Today would not be too soon for us to begin reaching out to the hurting, either.
Having walked this land of broken dreams, I’ve seen many searching with no comfort in sight. For them, happiness is an illusion. This is a clear call to me. One I believe is practical and biblical. None of us can meet every need, but together we can bring a wave of healing to the culture. The result would be increased happiness on earth and a great numerical increase in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Until that day of hope arrives, I’ll be searching everywhere just to find someone to care.
Sterl