Does it hurt?

Isn't it true that the most important things in life hurt? Think about it. If you want to get in good physical shape, you must experience some pain to get there. If you want to be financially successful, you must make some pretty big personal sacrifices to attain that goal. If you want your marriage to work, you must be willing to swallow a lot of pride and independence to see it succeed.

Something else is starting to really become important to me and it hurts too! I'm ashamed to say that it took me 36 years to finally get it, but better late than never! I am finally learning what it feels like to hurt for those who haven't given their lives to Jesus Christ.

Sure, I've been in ministry for several years and have always had a desire to see new people get excited about God in their lives. However, I seem to be entering a new era in my life where I am starting to really understand how important it is for me to share the message of Christ with those who are lost and dying. Ministry is really starting to become a passion of my life instead of just a job.

Over the past 5 years I have seen between 150 and 200 students graduate from my youth ministry. There is one sad truth about many of these kids...they are lost. I'm not saying they are living terrible lives or anything, but when I see some of them I hurt for them because they have no idea what the purpose of their life is. They are in a college with people they don't know. They are working jobs they have no desire to be working. They no longer have the safety of a stable youth group or social group of friends to depend on. They are lost and I hurt for them.

These students I mention are just a small example of how many lost people are surrounding me every day. Many times these are people that go to church each week. Other times, they are people who have no thought of or desire to know Christ. Either way, it hurts to see people who are lost and dying.

Listen, Church! When are we collectively going to start hurting for lost people so much that it leads us into action? If it is important to you, then the burden for the lost will hurt. I just need to ask you one simple question: Does it hurt?