A Note of Encouragement

from Ciloa

 

  

 

 

 

A young woman comforting a grieving man

Behind each act of comfort
And kind word ever spoken
Lies a soul that has suffered
And a heart that is broken

 

 
For every heart that is broken...
Volume XVI, Issue 4
January 25, 2016
Each year I review our ministry, beginning with the same questions: What did we accomplish? How can we reach more people? Where is God leading us? This year was different.
 
I like to begin the day with music...the kind that calms my soul, stirs my spirit, and focuses my vision. A favorite is "Great Are You Lord" by Casting Crowns, which opens with these words:
 
You give life. You are love. You bring light to the darkness.
You give hope. You restore every heart that is broken.
 
As I prepared for my annual task, this powerful refrain played over and over in my head. "God, what are You trying to tell me? Is there something special here or do you just happen to like Casting Crowns?" (Yes, sometimes I talk to God like that.)
 
But rather than answers, I heard more questions. Why do I give hope? Where do I restore?
 
The first seemed easy. "Because You love us." But the question returned. Why do I give hope? I thought more. "Because we need hope." Why do I give hope? "And You are our only hope."
 
The word Hope spelled out with words of hope
Where do I restore? "In hearts...that are broken." Where do I restore? "In people who are hurting, suffering, and grieving." Where do I restore? "In hearts...that...I don't understand."
 
Something in my answer was wrong. The question washed across my mind, leaving only the line, You restore every heart that is broken. Then I saw clearly. I had misinterpreted the words.
 
Brokenness is not a temporary state, but the enduring condition of every heart. God gives hope to every heart...every moment...as long as it is called today. Something within me moved and I thought of the wonderful people who make up Ciloa. They know what it means to be broken.
 
They understand being blind and deaf. They've experienced the death of a husband, wife, child, mother, father, and friend. They've seen the mental and physical torment of disease, addiction, and depression. They've known betrayal, divorce, abuse, and fear. They've heard the voices saying they are worthless, useless, and hopeless.
 
Then God asked: When do I give life? Whom do I love? How do I bring light? Suddenly my soul was calm. Wasn't it obvious?
 
God wants to fill us with the light of life. Though many refuse, He loves us all, wanting each to be with Him forever. So every day He brings His light into a dark world, offering its warmth to those growing in love, grace, and forgiveness, and to those still lost in the darkness.
 
Many people in a circle, their arms around each other
And He brings light to the darkness through you...and me...and every heart that is broken. Whether to build up a brother or sister, or to lead someone to Him, God has chosen us to bear His light. No one is worthless or useless to the God of comfort and compassion,
 
...who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3b-4
 
Make this year different. Join us, as we seek to encourage one another to encourage others.
Take care & be God's,

Chuck

**  "Great Are You Lord" by Casting Crowns, "A Live Worship Experience", 2015.
Click  HERE  for an awesome video of this song.
Ciloa - Encourage One Another
   
Please consider
Ciloa
in your charitable giving.
Just click  MyCiloa!

 

 

 Ciloa is a registered trademark of Ciloa, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.

A Note of Encouragement is a copyright interest held by Ciloa, Inc.


Sign up for A Note of Encouragement

 

Christ  Is  Lord  Of  All ... Ciloa
  
Follow us at


 Find us on Facebook         Follow us on Twitter

  


  Ciloa, Inc.     Lawrenceville, Georgia, U.S.A.     www.Ciloa.org