Heart Aches

The human heart is amazing. It is a collection of cells beating in unison that gives the heart the ability to effectively pump blood throughout the body.

When you place a single myocyte cell of the human heart under a microscope, you can see it beating independently. You can place several cells on the microscope, and as long as the cells are not touching, they beat independently.

However, when the cells are touching, they form interconnected sheets of cells that beat in unison. Gap junctions ensure that the connected cells beat as one. If the cells do not beat in unison, heart arrhythmias occur with complications including, fainting, stroke, heart failure, and sudden death.

The heart of the church is the saints. We are called to beat in unison, or maintain unity in the church:

Ephesians 4:1-3 (ESV) I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

1 Corinthians 1:10 (ESV) I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgement.

We should agree with one another, love one another, support one another. This creates a bond of peace. You don't need to know what everyone is going through to support them. You should just see each person as a vital cell and value them as part of the heart of the church.

Hebrews 10:23-25 (ESV) Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another

Stir each other up to love and good works, not discord or grumbling.

Sometimes you might walk into church and wonder, "why am I here? I don't fit in. I feel such resistance."

Push through those thoughts and feelings! You are in this heart for a reason! Don't neglect meeting together, as instructed in Hebrews, because of those negative feelings.

The church is not just a hospital for the hurting people that we do not know...it is a hospital for hurting people that are already there! There are hurting people all around us. Maybe your own heart aches. God doesn't just save, He heals, too. We are fighting a spiritual battle right now. Many are injured emotionally, psychologically, or mentally, and you cannot see it. That's why the unity of the church, the hospital, is so important.

A quote from a WWI novel said, "a hospital alone shows what war is." You can really tell how bad the war is by how many injured are in the hospital.

As we fight more spiritual warfare, the number of hurting people is only going to increase. Ignoring the pain doesn't resolve it. We must rise to the occasion and pray in unity together;

1. In the Name of Jesus, we rebuke anything negative that hinders the unity in our church.

2. We pray that You will restore unity, peace, and love for one another.

3. We plead the Blood of Jesus over all the saints and ministry.

So next time you talk to someone who is feeling like they don't fit in or is hurting, don't add to their burden. Remember that just as a hospital isn't filled with well people, a church isn't full of perfect people. As Ephesians says, have humility, patience, and gentleness. Love them. Support them. Be the "gap junction" to ensure that all the cells are beating in unison, and ask them to pray with you these specific prayers for our church.

If we fight together in prayer, He is faithful to hear and answer our prayers!

Being the "gap junction" can prevent heart arrhythmias and complications for you or others. Being a cell in the heart is important. You are important to the heart. Never doubt that!