Over the last couple of weeks God has opened my eyes and broken my heart for people who don't know Him in a new way. He showed me His heart by bringing to my attention several people who I know or have known closely who do not love Him or accept Him as their savior. It just breaks my heart to see these friends, some of whom are like family to me, who grew up in Christian homes and went (or still go) to church and youth functions faithfully now rejecting the faith that they were raised in. I was having a conversation with one of these friends a few days ago and it was just so heartbreaking. They have the truth right in front of them and yet they can't or won't receive it. The saddest part is the effect this rejection has upon a person's life.
Without God, life has no true meaning or purpose - something that I have seen evidenced in some of these friends as they have turned their backs on Him. Their lives are hollow and they are searching for anything that is not God or religion that will fill the hole in their soul. But they search in vain, because even if something seems to be working, eventually the emptiness with return. Their lives are characterized by