A Ministry of Tears
“Those who cry as they carry out the seeds will return singing…carrying bundles of grain.” Psalm 126.6 NCV
If you cry easily, it could be that God has given you a ministry of tears. What is that? Author Liz Curtis Higgs explains: “I cry easily and often. Happy tears, sad tears, over-the-top tears, Hallmark commercial tears—you name it…I cry at church…When I hear a wondrous truth spoken or a glorious song lifted in praise, when I see a new believer step forward or an old saint read the Scriptures, I’m so overwhelmed with God’s presence that tears flow down my cheeks…While I’ve made peace with [it] many women are ashamed of their tearfulness. A dear woman in Missouri thought her tears were a stumbling block to serving God…She explained, ‘I want to help hurting people, but the minute I hear their stories, I start weeping.’…I gave her a big hug [and said,] ‘You have a ministry of tears! The Bible tells us to ‘mourn with those who mourn’ (Romans 12.15 NIV), and to ‘comfort those in…trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God’ (2 Corinthians 1.4 NIV). Your tears don’t hurt, they help! God can use anything we surrender to him. Laughter and tears. Joys and sorrows. Victories and mistakes. Strengths and weaknesses. We minister to others best when we offer our true selves—‘as is’—not waiting until we’ve cleaned up our act or dried up our tears, but right now, leaks and all.” One day “God shall wipe away all tears” (Revelation 21.4). But until then, our tears are so precious to Him that, like fine wine and priceless perfume, He preserves them in a bottle (See Psalm 56.8).
PRAYER: Dear God, I surrender ALL to You. I pray that you would use me as You will to advance Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ Name. AMEN.
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