Drawn to the Broken

"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and He saves the crushed in spirit."
Psalm 34:18

If God is with the broken, I think that's where I should be too. This verse has been heavy on my heart the past few weeks and it's been challenging me like crazy. I've been praying to have the eyes to see the broken and the hurting people around me and God has definitely answered that prayer. It's been a very stretching two weeks, for sure. Being near the broken and seeing their pain is really difficult for me. My heart aches for them and I have to fight the urge to walk away. I'm becoming okay with crying over their hurt...I think God's okay with me mourning with those who mourn and weeping with those who weep. After I mourn for what they've been through, I have to learn to stand with them and help them walk through the healing process. The process of healing is painful. Allowing God to go to those deep places that have been hidden and covered up with a smile for so long isn't exactly my idea of fun. This type of pain is worth it though; it's the fruitful kind, the kind that leads to healing and freedom and restoration. My heart longs for the people God has put in my path to begin to live in that healing He so longs to give. God isn't near the broken to just be there, He is there to bring healing and hope. I want God to fill me up so much that He overflows from me, that His words of healing will flow from my mouth and that His love with surround everyone I encounter. My prayer is that healing and hope will spring up among the broken. Just like the valley of dry bones in Ezekiel, I pray that the dead will come to life, that those who are in bondage to their past will break free and begin to live a life of freedom. I know my God is more than able, but His people must be ready to stand in the gap and intercede for the broken. They must be ready to encounter the pain and point them to the Father with words of hope and love.