February 20, 2008
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Sensitivity
A lot of times when new kids first arrive at our home they are lacking a lot in love and attention. Because of this lack of love, the kids tend to be extra selfish and insensitive to those around them, hitting the other children or activing deceptively to get their way. The kids are unable to give love because they simply lack it. They can only think of themselves. This selfishness leads to insensitivity which soon leads to complete lack of good. The genocides of the Holocaust, the Khmer Rouge, and the country of Rwanda are examples where groups of people completely lost sensitivity to those around them and killed without mercy due to their own selfishness (driven by fear, power, hate, or other evil).
Ephesians 6:19 - Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.
The good news is that God's love is greater than any fear, hate, lust, depression, or other evil. In my two years here I've witnessed kids gradually transform as they receive love and healthy attention from the staff here. Its like coming across a dried, withered plant, watering it daily, and watching it turn green again and stretch out in strength. As love comes in, sensitivity does as well. We no longer think about ourselves first, but we begin to feel other people's hurts just as Jesus is hurting with them. Colossians 1:27 says, "Christ in you, the hope of glory." When Jesus' love grows in us, we can't help but hurt for those who are hurting. And this love we receive from Jesus enables us to forgive even those who have hurt us the most, because Jesus Himself was able to forgive all.
If you are struggling with forgiving someone or struggling with a certain sin, pray and ask the Lord to fill you with His love and give you more of His heart. Fix your eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2). You will soon find yourself not being bitter towards that person that hurt you or not fighting against that sin, but rather focused on Jesus, rejoicing in Him and what He has done for you, and able to let go of the things in this world holding you down.
God is good!
