Have you ever stopped and looked around to see who you tend to surround yourself with? Is it the popular people who make it seem like their life is care free or worry free? Is it those who tend to have similar interests in bands, sports, or clubs as you? When it comes to my life, I’ve always been drawn towards those who have had a rough start in life. Those who have had a difficult past, who are currently struggling in life, and who also have an incredible story to tell a couple years down the road.

I fall for the broken ones, the lost souls. I love to love broken people. God puts people into your path for a very specific purpose both for your life and for theirs as well. When God places people with problems, issues, or brokenness into your life, it is important to run towards them with open arms and with a never-ending amount of love instead of running away from them because you’re scared of what is to come. Psalm 34:18 states that “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit”. If we are to love others and spread His love to mankind, then why do so many run away from those who God keeps so close and dear to His heart? We are supposed to spread His love and His word, as a church, to our community. Church is not just a service on Sunday where we listen to a sermon, worship a few songs, and then go on our way for the rest of the week. No, the church is who you are and what you do in order to show God’s love, throughout the week, in your community. It is stated in Matthew 18:20 that “when two or more are gathered in my name, I am present with them".That verse means that no matter where you are or what you are doing throughout the week, your life is never too busy and no task is ever too important to worship the Lord with someone in need of His word or His love.

I love getting to know those who have endured so much throughout their lives. A lot of people that I have come to know and a lot of friendships that I cherish have all began with a simple “Hello, I’m Jazmin, what’s your name?”. I choose to run towards those who are in need of love. Those who simply need someone to sit there and listen to what’s going on in their lives and give them a shoulder to lean on when they need it the most. I am a firm believer that God places each and every one of these broken people into my life for a reason. We are here on this earth to help those in need and reach out to them so that they may trust us enough to open up and really create a firm bond with not only us, but eventually with our Heavenly Father as well. His timing is perfect and if you run towards the broken people with open arms and an open heart, He will surely do the rest of the work in their life.

Broken people are incredible human beings with amazingly beautiful stories. At some point in your life, someone ran towards YOU with open arms and an open heart. They came into your life and embraced your brokenness, so now it is your turn to make a change in someone else’s life.

Romans 12:13 “When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality with open arms.”