The Orphans

I know in our minds we have a certain idea of what an orphan looks like. We reflect on an image of little children and that is surely the case also. A devastating fact. Yet, we have orphans among us.

The Lord has been speaking to me about another kind of orphan.

Many are grown. Fatherless. Motherless. Without a secure family. They need safety. Nurturing. Love.

They are walking around hopeless and homeless. Helpless and hurt. With a longing to have spiritual parents who are looking out for them. Helping them grow in Christ. Answering their questions, gently. Those willing to be long-suffering, patient, and kind.

They often go from place to place unseen and unheard.

The body seems to neglect them or even reject them. Thus we’ve created an environment for an orphan spirit to wander aimlessly.

I believe the heart of God loves preaching but we also need pastoring that includes fathering and mothering.

Two ears to listen.

One mouth to speak.

Jesus is the good shepherd but for some reason we’ve no real inclination at times to shepherd. To tend or mend the hearts of men. Yet it is part of the gospel of Jesus.

Many need to belong to a family and the family of God ought to be the safest place there is. A place where insecurities are quickly put to rest. A place where gifting is encouraged. A place where pain is processed and long-suffering is an active fruit of the Spirit. A place where hearing God is cultivated and uniqueness is celebrated.

Where are the mothers and the fathers of the faith? Those who will stay steady in the lives of those who are anything but.

Those who Jesus has designed who refuse to let another live below their birthright. Competition doesn’t even enter into their minds. Nor does envy.

We have many little orphans and that breaks my heart. But, listen, you’ve likely got one sitting on your pew. Do you even know it?

Who are you pouring into, nurturing, weeping with, or cheering on? Because preaching is necessary but preaching only, well, leaves some things undone. The gospel needs the fullness of the body operating. It is the way God designed it.

It’s time to look for the orphans. They might look a bit different than you would expect. They are a little lost. Usually have suffered abuses or misuses. Been neglected or overlooked. Often forgotten. But Jesus sees them.

And so should we.

One of Gods greatest gifts is that he puts the lonely in families.