Reflecting on compassion



Today I joined a men's worship and devotional call and the Bible study discussion centered on compassion and the ways in which we have demonstrated compassion in our daily lives. As the conversation continued the question was  asked, "What prevents you from showing God's love when you carry out your daily responsibilities?"

As I remained silent one intriguing and relatable answer was shared by one of the pastors on the call. He spoke about agenda and by extension, priority.  Reverend Otis reflected upon the fact that, despite the weight of His purpose and even when He was in the midst of getting away to grieve, Jesus always had time in His day to be compassionate because people were an important part of His agenda, purpose and priorities. 

Simply put, people were important to Him and He made meeting with them, time with them, and compassion for them a part of His daily agenda.  This is evident in the fact that:

• Jesus had time for the crowds, even after He tried to get away to grieve. 
• He had time for the woman with an issue of blood, even while heading to Jarius' home to heal a daughter who was dying.  
• He had time for the crowds who followed Him to distance places, even while once again wanting solitude. 
• He had time to stop for a diminutive tax collector and invite Himself for dinner 
•  He had time for mothers wanting blessings for their children, widows burying children, and people caught up in situations and circumstances they desperately wanted out of  
• He had compassion for leper's and tax collectors, a thief's dying wish and disciples needing encouragement and correction. 
• He had time for and compassion for the hungry and lost. 

Jesus made time to grieve with friends, dine with sinners, and He even had time to forgive the people who were wrongly accusing Him. 

He had time for compassion for people because people were a priority and a key part of His purpose and agenda.  He said, I came to seek and save the lost. I came so they may have life. I am the Good Shepherd, I "need to" lay down My life for the sheep. We were a priority for Him. “For God so loved the world that He gave His Only Son.” We were on His agenda. This is why He came, why He died and why He rose. But, what about me?

Do I let people, their needs, even their greatest need for the love and the knowledge of Christ be a key part of my daily agenda?  Do I take time to let people in my crowds, in my contacts, in my home, or who look up to me know that Christ cares and that He is compassionate?  What do I do when someone is in need, like a stranger down and out, a child anxious at the DMV a state away, a daughter dealing with anxiety, younger children needing affection or discipline, or a spouse overwhelmed and overworked needing just 15 minutes of my agenda?  Am I too busy serving my own needs and wants to care about showing them the compassion of Christ?  If the crowds came to me, am I sending them away or giving them compassion?  

Far too often, and for no reason other than my own selfishness and self-centered thinking I keep no room on my agenda for them. Far too often, I know His compassion and know His love and know His heart for others and I choose not to have His heart. Lord help!  

God, help me fill up in the knowledge and understanding of Your great compassion for me so that I may consistently and continually share and show Your great compassion to those around me. Help me live my life according to Your agenda, plans, purposes and priorities so that the needs of others will not be seen by me as an interruption or an intrusion, but as a welcome part of and priority within Your plans for me. 

—— 

"That's the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone's duty (Ecclesiastes 12:13 NLT)!"

Storm tips

When we are in a storm— a season of difficulties, a day of trouble, a week of worry, a night of fearfulness, caught up in the snare of dread, or seemingly stuck in a time of anxiousness and apprehensiveness— do these things:

(1) stay on your knees
(2) devour Scripture
(3) weep if you need to
(4) worship as you wait for the season or moments to pass
(5) pray and give thanks to God.

Above all else, "don't stop seeking Him. What is more important than us feeling [that] God is [near is] knowing [and trusting] that He loves us. He is holding us. He is present with us. And He is faithful to get us through the storm, no matter what happens (Ruth Schwenk)."

Even when you are not sure you can hold on to Him, He is holding on to you.

Love you—Cassius

Hot Stock pick

Don't be amused or put stock in the vainglorious boasting, reckless bragging, arrogant pretentiousness, and blustering talk of pundits and pontificators. Their speech is most often gas and noise, the blistering nonsense of overused cliches used to erect elaborate and overhyped promises that the makers of which have little desire and even less ability to give birth to! Instead of giving weight to their grand notions and political ramblings, throw yourself full tilt onto the cross of Christ, the fulfilled and coming promises of His Word, and the certainty of the never failing, Eternal God.

Put your stock in the Word that never fails, the hope that never dies, and the timeless God who reigns from everlasting to everlasting!

With our heads neither buried in the sands nor stuck in the heavens to come, let us with genuine humility strive to firmly, courageously, and faithfully move ourselves and our world forward with the unquenchable grace, manifest justice, unrelenting mercy, effective accountability and the unalterable truth of the Sovereign and Almighty.

I’ll take my odds

Who said that you are the underdog?  Who said that your odds aren’t good?  Who said you are outgunned, outmanned, and outmatched?  

Gideon’s odds: 

A countless hoard, an army numerous as the sands of the shore versus Gideon and 300.  

Elijah’s odds: 

At least 850 false prophets and fake priests versus one (count it 1) man of God.   

Abraham’s odds: 

Three kings and their band of raiding armies versus one nomad and the troops/servants of his house. 

David’s odds: 

One highly decorated, war trained, and savage champion fighter of mammoth and gigantic size versus a shepherd boy delivering snacks to soldiers and carrying a sling. 

Moses’ odds:

The savage mercenary army of Pharaoh that held captive an entire nation for over 300 years versus a ragtag shepherd and his recently released, but now trapped at the edge of the sea, former slaves.  

And there is more:

Don’t forget to look at Joshua and Jericho,  Jesus with five loaves and 5000 mouths to feed, plus women and children.  Or Jesus and the seven loaves and the 4000 men, plus women and children.  Or Paul and the angry mobs. Pretty poor odds if you think about it from the world’s perspective.  Right?   These were tough odds, to rely on in most books, by most standards, and in most people’s eyes.  But look again. I’ll take their odds. 

Look at their odds and then call this to mind—  no matter the size of the army, foe, fear, enemy or problem that comes against you, if you have the power, army, and will of the eternal God on your side then the odds are stacked in your favor!

Who said that you are the underdog?  Who said that your odds aren’t good?  Who said you are outgunned, outmanned, and outmatched?  Certainly not the God of Angel armies or the commander of the forces of heaven and earth. 

May the inexplicable power of Heaven be your strength and bring you victory— no matter who, what, or how many are with the army or problem that comes against you!  

Open your hands

May we stop holding on to the hurt caused by whoever said that we are not enough or not good enough, and instead brazenly cling, clench, and grasp on to the word that declares us fearfully and wonderfully made, children of the Most High God, and loved with an everlasting love.

In lieu of keeping a stranglehold on any hurt caused by broken dreams or brokenness— be it in our bodies, careers, families, faith circles, childhood, or any other segment of our life journey— let us embrace, clutch tightly, and reach out with desperate determination to touch Him, to grasp the healing hand of God and the eternal Word that can save.

May we do all that we can to rebuke and release every anxious worry and unhealthy thought that wants to hold us captive, so that we can be healed, made whole and well, be made vessels spilling over with triumphant hope, everlasting joy, and unshakable peace, and abound in His presence, promises, and comforting compassion.

Let us open our hands and release all the things we’ve held on to that have poisoned our souls with bitterness and our minds with thoughts of defeat.  Let us open our hands and receive all the goodness and joy that the loving and righteous God has in store for us.