Love Poured Out
“Christ Crucified” by Diego Velazquez (c. 1632), Prado Museum (Accession No. P01167), Source Web Gallery of Art, (PD-Art, Old-100)
The 18th Century rabbi, Israel ben Eliezer, wrote of suffering:
“Each prayer has its own meaning, and it is, therefore, the specific key to a door in the Divine Palace. But a broken heart is an axe that opens all the gates.”
The sick, the needy, the desperate, the lost; the grieving; the persecuted and imprisoned; the abandoned and alone. These understand suffering.
To the sick and those in pain, Christ is the Great Physician. To those in need, the desperate, and the lost, He is the Way. To the grieving, He is the Man of Sorrows. To the persecuted and imprisoned, He is the Advocate and Counselor. To the abandoned and alone, He is the Beloved.
The source of all comfort, Christ is with us in all trials. None of us is truly abandoned, for He is there. In return, Christ asks that we extend a hand to the lost and less fortunate, that we reach out in love even when we may be rejected.
Christ does not urge us to live cautious lives. Love is not measured with an eyedropper, in safe increments. It is poured out, as balm on the wounds of the world. As His was for us.
READERS CAN FIND MY VIEWS ON ABUSE AND ABUSE-RELATED ISSUES AT ANNA WALDHERR A Voice Reclaimed, Surviving Child Abuse http://www.avoicereclaimed.com
A Lawyer's Prayers 
To those searching for the way and the truth, Christ is the answer. He said ” I’am the way, and the truth and the life….” (John 14:6). He is the perfect answer to all life challenges.
Reblogged this on White Raiment.
I just came across this now, and it’s such a comfort! Sharing on my blog…
Thank you for the compliment and for the reblog, Brenda, especially of an older post. You know, we pour ourselves into these posts, then leave them behind — like a trail of pebbles or perhaps rose petals. Rabbi Israel ben Eliezer better known as the Baal Shem Tov (“Master of the Good Name”) was the founder of Hasidism (“loving kindness”), a branch of Orthodox Judaism that was a reaction against legalism.
‘broken heart is an axe to open all the gates’ ….. Now I know why I have had my heart broken all my life ….. so I would come to Christ. Such beautiful words!
I am glad the rabbi’s words brought you some consolation. They touched me, as well.
Reblogged this on Touching the King.
Thank you for the reblog, Jacqui. God bless you.