Developing a Heart of Compassion
Several years ago I greeted a lady I knew, as our paths crossed, outside a major Department Store. While we exchanged a few words, I quickly noticed a necklace she was wearing, with a small golden pendant. On it, the words inscribed proclaimed, 100% ME!
Although I didn’t say anything then, I couldn’t help but raise a question in my mind: “How can she have any room for anybody else?” What amazed me even more, was the fact that the lady was a Christian, and member of a great congregation!
The Bible intimates that “all seek their own” (Philippians 2:21).Yet, you can make it your habit and goal to go after the things of Christ, and translate them into good deeds for others. True caring must transcend good intentions. Furthermore, it must be an attitude originating in the heart. It is expensive giving that yields the greatest rewards, especially when it begins with the gift of one’s self!
Corporately, as the People of God, all Christians are to be “cheerleaders” in the midst of so much discouragement and gloom, in any human society, where much cynicism also prevails. But you need to have a caring heart before you can perform caring acts!
As God’s representatives on earth, Christians should operate as an “Intensive Care Unit” wherever they are, so others may be literally lifted out of their discouragement, and given renewed hope for what lies ahead. Those who give in too soon to debilitating despair, or accept as final the opinions of cynics and prophets of doom, are entitled to a second opinion. And Christ’s followers should always be the first ones to provide not mere opinions, but certainties!
Are you prepared to be among those ready to furnish the uplift so many lack and need? Keep in mind that what you can offer them is the unshakable assurance of God’s superintendence over all human affairs, and the possibility of His full and free provision for any lack or need. As it has been said in a variety of ways, people want to know how much you care before they care how much you know!
Scripture is replete with directives for God’s People to be and do what God enables them to fulfill for the sake of others. St. Paul, among others, declared, “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love” (Romans 12:10a). God intended the community of faith to constitute a life-supporting system, composed of several layers of caring individuals, meeting one another’s needs!
In contemporary society, the Christian church is the last institution where automation and anonimity have not yet taken over. The personal touch is still real among true Christians. Thus, remember that your concrete love for others validates your professed love for God! Individually and collectively, Christians should strive to meet the emotional malnourishment prevalent in the world today.
Christian psychologist James Kilgore was reminding all Christians when he wrote: “You are the only valuable item you can give away and yet never really lose.” In fact, whatever you do for others will not merely make a lasting difference in another person’s life, but far more in your own!
