by Gail Gritts
TEARS
“Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews…”
Acts 20:19
The tears of Paul are oft recorded. In Acts 20:31 he says for three years he did not stop warning day and night with tears and in II Corinthians 2:4 he speaks of the great anguish of heart as he wrote with tears to the believers. As he speaks of the care of the churches in II Corinthians 11:28 one would have to assume that many tears were shed as he sought to equip these saints.
When commenting on Acts 20:19 Brown says, “He "sowed in tears," from anxieties both on account of the converts from whom he "travailed in birth," and of the Jews, whose bitter hostility was perpetually plotting against him, interrupting his work and endangering his life.” Tears were incorporated in the service of the Lord for the Apostle Paul, and, yes, for most all who seek to serve the Lord.
Tears in the ministry are the result of many things. Our hearts break as we see the burden other believers carry. We weep with those who are broken hearted, disillusioned and in need of comfort. We weep, as we feel helpless to create change. We weep over the failures of others and over those who go against God’s mandates. We also weep over our own failures and inadequacies. Tears are a part of the ministry.
Tears are not a sign of weakness, but of the depth of our sincerity and humility in service. Tears, as a result of the service of the Lord, put us in good company. Jeremiah was known as the Weeping Prophet. Joseph, Jacob, David and Jonathan all wept. Ezra, Job and Isaiah wept. Jesus wept.
What about you? Are tears a part of your service? Is your heart tender enough to weep for others? Or are you hardened?