Arise, cry out in the night.

 "The hearts of the people
   cry out to the Lord.
You walls of Daughter Zion,
   let your tears flow like a river
   day and night;
give yourself no relief,
   your eyes no rest.

 Arise, cry out in the night,
   as the watches of the night begin;
pour out your heart like water
   in the presence of the Lord.
Lift up your hands to him
   for the lives of your children,
who faint from hunger
   at every street corner...

My eyes will flow unceasingly,
   without relief,
until the LORD looks down
   from heaven and sees.
What I see brings grief to my soul
   because of all the women of my city."

 Lamentations 2:18-19;  3:49-51

One would think what I do for a living would earn enough brownie points to get some good rest at night. I deserve some shut eye-- I work hard "for the Lord". Now I would love to hear God laughing about that one. Same old Kerri, trying to earn love and attention.

Even most unchurched folk say prayers before bed. Do you know unless I am asking for something from the Big Guy I do not do that. I start off good in the morning, continuing to worship all day long, but night never ceases to be about me destressing and getting some sleep. (minus the nights I am at a worship service for hours on end)

But I know that I KNOW- God calls me to more than this. Social Work would tell me I need self-care and make sure to leave work at work and for the most part I do (surprisingly enough). But God has never been shy to let me know that my purpose is higher than that, that He requests more effort than that, that He chose me to do His work- not the worlds.

I am to let "my eyes flow unceasingly without relief". To "bring grief to my soul". To pray on behalf of those He has sent my way(1 Timothy 2:1). To use the Armor of God(Ephesians 6). To fight from victory instead of for victory(john 16:33). To be the advocate(Isaiah 59:16). To pray for the captives (Acts 12:12). To pray for the fatherless, widows, and poor (Deuteronomy 10:18).

There are many moments when God wants us to just "be" in His presence and "pour out your [love] like water" to Him, no doubt, but we must not forget we are here on purpose, for a purpose. And if you really believe there is a God, Jesus is your Savoir and their really is a heaven- you might want to rethink [like me] how much you care about people, if you are not willing to "give your eyes no rest" for them.

I know I have not stepped up to the plate in this regard, I knew it back in my Mercy days also. It's time to take this seriously. Fight for the women I encounter, like those before me did for me. God promised He would never leave me (Hebrews 13:5). Where He is there is freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17). That He hears the cries of the righteous and will answer them with justice (Psalm 34:17). That victory is already promised (Romans 8:31). That apart from Him I am nothing, but with Him I am made whole (John 15:5). I must give up my ungodly desires and control to live the full life He has for me (Matthew 10:39; John 10:10).

All in all if I, or any human service worker/minister, thinks they have a heart for the broken-- they should consider that God has never once stopped pursuing our hearts (even when we ignore and mock Him) and that Jesus not only died for us but prayed on our behalf constantly- that to me is a true sacrifice. Death is one thing [although obviously huge] but to give ones' life, such as a night of rest, on behalf of someone now that... that is sacrifice, that is love.

So arise, my friends, arise and cry out--- not only IN the city, but FOR the city.
above all else:love.