In my daily reading yesterday (Every Day With Jesus) I came across this verse in Romans 9.

“For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race, …” (Romans 9:3 NIV)

The Apostle Paul had such a heart for his fellow Israelites. Even though he was sent by God throughout the known world to communicate the Gospel to the Gentiles, his heart never gave up on the Jews.

What stands in stark contrast to the normal, “what’s in it for me” attitude, is Paul’s willingness to be completely lost himself if his fellow Jews would simply come to know Jesus as Messiah.

This level of compassion for a race, for a generation or even for a single person is rarely seen. Paul just reminded me, too often, my concerns, comfort and personal agenda often outweigh my concern for others.

We say we care about this Valley. What might it look like if we REALLY CARED with the same heart and passion of Paul?