Month: February 2022 (Page 3 of 3)

Have you ever heard of Takotsubo Syndrome? Better known as broken heart syndrome, Takotsubo Syndrome is on the rise in America. This syndrome can mirror a heart attack, causing chest pains and shortness of breath after the heart muscles weaken.  “It generally happens after a severe emotional or physical event, such as a breakup, car accident or even a surprise birthday party,” according to Dr. Susan Cheng, who led a study published by the Journal of the American Heart Association.  

Studies have shown a clear connection in how the heart and the brain react together when things like anxiety or stress are present. According to the Mayo Clinic, broken heart syndrome is often preceded by an intense physical or emotional event.  More Americans are living with broken hearts and the painful feeling now comes with a severe diagnosis.  The Covid pandemic, political unrest and increased social isolation due to technology have only increased the health impacts that Americans are experiencing. 

Men, do any of you have a broken heart due to shame, failure, disappointment, etc.?   The Lord is aware of our broken hearts and can bring healing. “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Ps 34:18).   “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds (Ps. 147:3).  The NET says, “[He] bandages their wounds.”  Only God can bind up the wounds of a broken heart.  Isaiah prophesied about Jesus when he wrote, “He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the prisoners…” (Is. 61:1).  

The prophet Hosea lamented the spiritual adultery among the people of God.  He continually reminded them of God’s tender, caring love for them.  Speaking of Ephraim, God relayed through Hosea: “Still, I stuck with him. I led Ephraim. I rescued him from human bondage, but he never acknowledged my help, never admitted that I was the one pulling his wagon, that I lifted him, like a baby, to my cheek.” (Hosea 11:3-4 Message).  Phillips says, “Yet they never knew that it was I who healed their bruises (v. 3b).   Can you picture Jesus, leaning over and kissing you on the cheek, healing your bruises and pulling your wagon loaded with burdens?

Henri Nouwen continually emphasized that the heart is the center of our lives. “But,” he says, “it’s also there that we are most alienated from ourselves. We know little or nothing of our heart.  We keep our distance from it, as though we were afraid of it. What is more intimate is also what frightens us most. Where we are most ourselves, we are often strangers to ourselves.” We are, he observes, “strangers in our own house.” 

As men we can live as strangers in our own houses, living with broken hearts. We do our best to cover up the ache inside.  But like a tooth ache; it just does not go away. We are uncomfortable when we become aware of the intensity of the pain.  Years ago, I learned an important principle from the poet Robert Bly.  He said, “The way to a man’s heart is through his pain.” We must go through the pain, not around it.” 

Our hearts are very fragile.  We might not think this is the case. We can put on a good front and pretend.  But the truth is that we cannot mend a broken heart.  Only the redeeming love of God can reach down and begin to put all the pieces back together. Trust me, it is a lifelong process. Don’t waste another day, trying to self-medicate your pain or patch up the wounds with excuses. 

Amos the prophet was not what we would consider a “professional holy man.”  He was an ordinary layman, a shepherd, and a fig grower.  When confronted by Amaziah the priest, he declared, “I was neither a prophet nor a prophet’s son, but I was a shepherd, and I took care of sycamore-fig trees. But the Lord took me from tending and said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel” (Amos 7:14-15).  Imagine if you were called from your normal work routines to go prophesy against the sins of your religious community!

Amos was a man of great courage, with a sense of moral righteousness and social justice.  “He [could] see clearly that the softness and corruption at the heart of Israel [would] make her fall easy prey to the invader.  The future is so clear to the prophet that he sees the Assyrians advancing to the attack some years before they did in fact set out” (Phillips).   Today, who are the ones warning our nation about being soft and unprepared for what is coming at us?

Amos warned the people: “Woe to you who are complacent in Zion, and to you who feel secure on Mount Samaria” (6:1).  Amos, simply an ordinary man, was concerned about the material prosperity, along with the decay of moral values and the oppression of the poor brought about by wealth in the hands of the few.   He was giving fair warning of the near future. The prophet uttered those famous words, “Prepare to meet your God, O Israel” (4:12).  Men, have you prepared for what is coming at us?”  

In 3:2-8, God warns the people not to relish their status as His chosen people. Their supposedly intimate relationship with the Lord meant they were to live with a greater sense of responsibility. God was holding them accountable.  “From among all the families on the earth, I have been intimate with you alone” (Amos 3:2 NLT).  Men, with privilege comes the call to be people of faith. 

Amos pointed to nature and its expected results. “Does a lion roar in the woods if he has not cornered his prey?” (3:4 NET).  “Does a bird swoop down into a trap on the ground if there is no bait?” (3:5 NET).  Then he mentions, “If an alarm sounds in a city, do people not fear?” (3:6 NET).  The prophet asks, “Does disaster come to a city unless the Lord has planned it?” (3:6 NLT).  God is warning us now.  Are we paying attention?    

These were not idle threats.  Consider v. 3:7-8: “Certainly, the Sovereign Lord does nothing without first revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.  A lion has roared! Who is not afraid?” A lion that has roared is ready to pounce.  The Lord will act.  The bird is found in the trap through no fault but its own. The people needed to examine their decisions, desires, and ambitions – to see their complicity.  Instead of casting blame, we need to repent. 

Amos 3:2 in the NLT asks, “Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction?” This question awaits an answer. There is an incompleteness to it, leaving the future undetermined: the lion is still roaring; it has not yet devoured its prey (v. 4).  There is still time to escape.  Amos is prophesying in a period of grace, between warning and disaster, making clear the Lord’s message to the people.   I challenge you to ask your closest friends, “Are our decisions, desires and ambitions centered on Christ and building his Kingdom?  How can we live more in line with his will and purposes?”