Living On Purpose In Christ | Journaling Prompts, Biblical Encouragement, Aromatherapy, Devotions, Affirmations, God's Peace

94 | Hope for Hurting Hearts: The Compassion of Christ in Luke’s Gospel

• Paula Behrens | Christian Coach, Pastor, Certified Aroma Freedom Practitioner • Season 2

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Ever felt like your faith is stuck on autopilot? You love Jesus and sincerely want to grow closer, but somehow the days blur by in a whirlwind of responsibilities, distractions, and sheer exhaustion. You're not alone in wondering if you're truly growing or just coasting through your spiritual journey.

The Gospel of Luke offers a refreshing perspective for those of us caught in this tension. It portrays Jesus as the Savior who sees, values, and meets us exactly where we are—whether that's folding laundry, working long hours, or juggling family responsibilities. Luke's narrative centers on voices that society often overlooks: Mary, a young girl from an insignificant town; shepherds on the social margins; women at the tomb when no one believed them. Their stories reveal a profound truth: God chooses ordinary people for extraordinary purposes.

What makes Luke's Gospel particularly meaningful for busy women today is its emphasis on Jesus' prayer life. Prayer wasn't a formal obligation Jesus checked off his to-do list—it was his lifeline to the Father. This invites us to reimagine our own connection with God. Prayer doesn't require an Instagram-worthy quiet time setup; it can flow naturally during carpool lines, over kitchen sinks, or in sleepless nights. It's about presence, not perfection. And when life feels overwhelming, Luke reminds us that the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead dwells within us, providing strength when ours runs out.

Whether you're feeling spiritually dry, emotionally exhausted, or simply longing for more authentic connection with God, this episode unpacks how Luke's portrait of Jesus speaks directly to your reality. Discover how his parables stretch our understanding of grace, how his journey to the cross teaches us about surrender, and how his resurrection promises his continuing presence in our everyday lives. Ready to move beyond spiritual autopilot? Join us as we explore how the compassionate Savior in Luke's Gospel meets you right where you are today.

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Paula Behrens:

Let me ask you something. Have you ever felt like your faith is stuck on autopilot? You believe in Jesus, you love him, you want to grow closer, but somehow the days slip by in a blur of responsibilities, distractions and exhaustion. Maybe you've wondered, am I really growing or am I just coasting? Or maybe you thought, I love God, but does he really see me here in my everyday life, folding laundry, working long hours, caring for my family, juggling expectations? If you've ever longed to go deeper with your faith but felt pulled in a hundred directions, you're not alone and you're going to want to stay tuned as we dive into the Gospel of Luke, a portrait of Jesus as the Savior, who sees, who values and who meets you right where you are.

Paula Behrens:

But first funny story. When I first began my seminary work while serving two church congregations full-time, everyone assumed I had my daily devotional time perfectly organized. But, truth be told, there were mornings I could barely find five minutes to catch my breath, let alone dive into deep reflection. One day, as I rushed out the door with mismatched shoes, I realized that even in my chaos there was a lesson. Embracing God's grace and self-forgiveness, I realized that true success in my devotional life requires prioritizing my spiritual practices. Are you finding it challenging to maintain your spiritual practices or yearning for a more peaceful, God-aligned day? I'm Paula and I've been there too. Balancing spiritual habits with a busy life can be difficult. I longed for a deeper connection with God, but struggled with consistency. Then I found the perfect approach. If you seek simple ways to deepen your connection with God, this podcast is for you.

Paula Behrens:

Are you curious about what actually happens in the Aroma of Christ Coaching Hour? Let me walk you through it. First, we'll talk about your current routine what's working, what's not, and where you feel stuck or dry. Then we'll walk through your spiritual goals, whether that's deeper intimacy with God, more peace or simply knowing how to stay consistent. Together we'll build a realistic devotional routine that works for your real life, and I'll introduce you to ways essential oils can help you feel more grounded and connected during your time with the Lord. You'll leave with a custom devotional plan, simple next steps and a fresh wind in your spirit. Everything we do is led by the spirit and grounded in grace, not guilt. So head on over now to paulabehrens. com/ coaching and book your session. That's Paula Behrens B-E-H-R-E-N-S . com/coaching (no spaces). It's time to bring beauty and balance back into your quiet time. All right, let's get started. Grab your Bible, dust off your journal and cozy up to your favorite beverage and let's dive in.

Paula Behrens:

Today we're going to talk about the way Luke sees Jesus as the Savior who meets us right where we are and who sees us. And we're going to walk through this New Testament book together, not as a lecture but as a conversation, as if we were sitting across the table from each other with, you know, sipping on a cup of coffee, with an open Bible. And along the way, I want to show you how Luke's stories connect with your story and how his words can help you step into a deeper, spirit-filled walk with God. Luke opens his Gospel with voices that often went unheard in the ancient world, like Mary and Elizabeth, Zechariah and even an elderly prophetess named Anna. These were ordinary people. These were the kind of people that society would easily overlook, yet Luke wants us to see that God chose them to be a part of this most extraordinary story.

Paula Behrens:

When the angel comes to Mary, she is a young girl, she comes from a poor family in an insignificant town. And yet she becomes the bearer of the Messiah. Her response, I am the Lord's servant. And then she breaks out into a song of praise that we call the Magnificat, declaring that God lifts up the humble and fills the hungry with good things. As women today, isn't that what we long to know? That God sees us in the hidden places. That he values our yes, even when the world doesn't seem to notice. Well, Luke's Gospel assures us that God hears us. Think about the shepherds too. These weren't the influencers or power players of their time, yet the angels' good news came to them first. They heard, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people, not just the rich, not just the religious, not just the men, but all the people. For you and me, that means the gospel is not for some idealized version of ourselves. It's for us right here, right here, in the middle of our real, messy everyday lives.

Paula Behrens:

And then Luke fills his pages with parables that push his truth even deeper. These stories stretch our understanding of grace and remind us that God's love is extravagant, boundary-breaking and inclusive. For the woman listening today, who feels she has wandered too far, who feels unworthy or unqualified, hear this. You are the beloved daughter the Father runs to embrace. Now, if Luke shows us Jesus as the Savior for all, he also shows Jesus as a man of prayer.

Paula Behrens:

More than any other Gospel writer, Luke emphasizes how central prayer was to Jesus' life. Jesus prayed at his baptism. He prayed before choosing his disciples. He prayed on the mountaintop, he prayed in the garden, he prayed when life was calm and he prayed when his soul was in anguish. Why? Because prayer was not an item on his to-do list, it was his lifeline to the Father. As women longing to grow closer to God, this is such a great invitation.

Paula Behrens:

We learn that prayer doesn't have to be formal or complicated. It doesn't have to happen in an Instagram-worthy quiet time setup. Prayer can flow in the carpool line, over the kitchen sink or in the quiet of a sleepless night. It's about presence. It's about remembering that God is for you, always, all the time.

Paula Behrens:

And Luke pairs prayer with praise. Have you noticed how many songs are in the first two chapters? There's Mary's song of praise, Zachariah's song of blessing, the angel's song of glory and Simeon's song of peace. It's almost as if Luke is saying when you really see what God has done, you can't help but sing. Now, I don't know about you, but sometimes praise feels hard when life is heavy. When your heart is weary, when prayers go unanswered, when you're carrying more than you feel you can bear, prayer feels hard. And yet Luke reminds us, joy is not about circumstances. It's about anchoring ourselves in God's faithfulness.

Paula Behrens:

And we can't forget the Holy Spirit either. From the very beginning of Luke's Gospel, the Spirit is at work, filling John the Baptist, overshadowing Mary, leading Simeon, anointing Jesus. For us, this means we are never left to walk alone. The Spirit equips us, comforts us and gives us strength when ours runs out. So if you feel like you've been running on empty, remember the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you. Isn't that encouraging? You don't have to do it all in your own strength.

Paula Behrens:

About halfway through Luke's Gospel, the focus shifts. Luke tells us, as a time approached for him to be taken up to Heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. From that point on, the narrative is shaped by this journey towards the cross and along the way, Jesus teaches about discipleship, about cost, about surrender. He tells us whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. That's not exactly a soft, easy invitation. It's weighty, it's costly, and yet it's also freeing. Because here's the truth when we cling to control, when we cling to comfort, to status or even to fear, we actually lose. But when we surrender those things to Christ, we find a freedom and a peace that this world just can't offer.

Paula Behrens:

For many women, following Jesus may not mean literal persecution, but it might mean laying down things like pride in a relationship, or letting go of bitterness, forgiving when it feels impossible, or trusting God with a dream you've been holding just a little too tightly. Jesus also warns us about greed, hypocrisy and self-righteousness, but then he flips the script with parables like the great banquet, showing us that God's invitation is wide open to the poor, to the crippled, the blind and the lame. Luke keeps pressing us to see the Kingdom with new eyes. So let me ask you this. What's one area where God is inviting you to count the cost of discipleship right now? It won't look the same for each of us, but Luke reminds us it will be worth it. And then we come to the climax, the Cross and the Resurrection.

Paula Behrens:

Luke's account is filled with the compassion of Jesus even in suffering. On the cross, he prays for his enemies: Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. He turns to the repentant thief and promises him paradise. Do you see it? Even while nailed to the cross, Jesus is still seeking and saving the lost. And then the Resurrection. The women arrive at the tomb ready to anoint his body and they hear these words, Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here. He has risen.

Paula Behrens:

I love that Luke records the road to Emmaus story, as well. Two discouraged disciples, possibly a husband and wife team, are walking with heavy hearts and Jesus comes alongside them. They don't recognize him at first, but he listens, he explains the scripture and then he reveals himself in the breaking of the bread. Isn't that beautiful. Isn't that our story too? We walk discouraged, confused, weighed down sometimes, and Jesus comes alongside us. He reminds us of truth, he opens our eyes and often he shows himself in the ordinary moments, the breaking of the bread, the quiet prayer, the small act of faith. For women longing to know Christ more intimately, Luke's resurrection stories are a reminder that he is alive, he is present and he is still walking with us today.

Paula Behrens:

So here's where we land. The Gospel of Luke is not just history, it's an invitation, an invitation to know Jesus as the Savior for all, to walk with him in prayer and praise, to follow him in costly discipleship and to cling to him as the risen Lord who never leaves our side. Sister, God sees you, he values you, he calls you. Just like Mary, Elizabeth, Anna and the women at the tomb, your story is part of his story. So here's my challenge for you this week. Pick one of the stories in Luke, just one. Maybe the Good Samaritan, maybe Mary sitting at Jesus' feet, or maybe the road to Emmaus, and sit with it, journal about it. Ask what does this show me about Jesus and what does this mean for my life right now? Because the Gospel of Luke is not just words on a page. It's the Spirit's invitation to transformation.

Paula Behrens:

As a grandma who's rocked babies through midnight tears and a pastor who's walked with women through their toughest seasons, I've seen how the compassion of Christ isn't just a story from long ago. It's a living promise that can transform your daily walk with God. Yet I understand that we must meet him halfway as well, taking moments to say I'm here, God, I'm listening for your voice. Show me the path through this life.

Paula Behrens:

If today's message stirred a deep longing within you to draw closer to Jesus amidst life's chaos, while at the same time feeling emotional trauma pulling you away from God's peace, I want to personally invite you to take the next step by booking an Aroma of Christ coaching hour. During this one-on-one session, we'll meet over Zoom for a meaningful time of spiritual guidance tailored specifically to your current season. Together, we'll craft a personalized devotional rhythm that fits your lifestyle and nurtures your walk with God. You'll also receive step-by-step support in using essential oils as sensory anchors in your quiet time, helping you reconnect with peace and clarity in your spirit. This coaching hour includes biblical encouragement, focused prayer, a bonus Peace RESET and practical strategies to deepen your relationship with Christ.

Paula Behrens:

If your heart is longing for more and you're ready to move forward with intention and grace, go right now to paulabehrens. com/ coaching to reserve your spot. That's Paula Behrens B-E-H-R-E-N-S . com/ coaching (no spaces). Let's walk this sacred journey together, surrounded by truth, purpose and the sweet aroma of His presence. Thank you for tuning in today and remember, just like setting biblical boundaries, it's okay to say no to things that don't serve you well, like that third piece of cake at the church potluck. If you were blessed by this episode, be sure to share it with a friend and leave a review so that we can reach even more women like you. Check the show notes for all the links. Join us next week as we continue to discover how to live on purpose in Christ. Until then, keep leaning into Him and walking in His wisdom. See you next time.