TEARS, THERMOMETER OF THE HEART?

Our tears can be a great indication of the health of our relationship with JESUS. Can you remember the last event that made you cry? By looking at the reason for the tears you can get a personal reading on the status of your heart. Many of us older folks were raised with the "real men don't cry" attitude. Others of us will cry at the drop of a hat. But, the only one we should ever compare ourselves to is JESUS. HE is to be the pattern of our lives!

We, as Christians, are called to be like CHRIST. Therefore, we should look at what caused JESUS to cry and compare HIS tears to ours. That can be a powerful tool to assess the condition of your heart.

To see what caused our LORD to shed a tear, we look at the death of Lazarus as recorded in John chapter 11. Lazarus was the brother of Mary and Martha. This is the same Mary who poured perfume on the feet of JESUS and wiped them with her hair. These sisters sent for JESUS when Lazarus was sick. JESUS waited until Lazarus was dead then went to them. Now Mary and Martha met JESUS outside the village. And we see that JESUS wept in verse 35. To see the why behind HIS tears we look at verse 33. We see that HIS compassion caused the tears for them. After this, HE went to the tomb and brought Lazarus back from the dead.

JESUS had three options in this situation. First, HE could have not even went to them or shed any tears. Second, HE could have stayed where HE was and cried for Mary and Martha. Lastly, we see what JESUS actually did, HE not only cried but HE went to them and did something about the situation.

Many of us live our lives like that first option. We go day to day knowing that bad things are happening but we don't let it affect us. We don't even shed a tear. I think the thermometer is reading at or below freezing. This surely doesn't bring glory to GOD.

Some of us have moved on to the second option. We slow down and notice what is going on and we even shed a tear. But that is as far as we go. Our thermometers have come up from freezing but we are far from on fire for the LORD. I don't believe this brings glory to GOD either.

Not enough of us go to the third option. This is the only option that brings glory to GOD. JESUS not only shed tears HE took action to help the situation. If our relationship with CHRIST is healthy, we will do more than shed a tear for the world. We will seek to glorify GOD just like JESUS did in this situation.

So, each of us has to look at our own thermometer. The world around us is filled with hurting people headed for destruction. If that simple fact does not drive you to tears and compel you to act, you need to draw nearer to the MASTER. If you have a healthy relationship you will be on fire for HIM.

For further thought, look at Revelation chapter 3 verses 14-22.