Rooted in Compassion

Psalm 112:1-4:

Praise the Lord.

Blessed is the one who has respect for the Lord. He finds great delight when he obeys God’s commands.

His children will be powerful in the land. Because he is honest, his children will be blessed.

His family will have wealth and riches. He will always be blessed for doing what is right.

Even in the darkness light shines on honest people. It shines on those who are kind and tender and godly.

So I’m sure by now you’ve all picked up on the fact that I am dying to see each of you grow closer to Jesus this year. I want you to completely fall in love with Him and grow those roots deep in Him as you reach others at the same time. (Rooted and Reaching … see what I did there?)  ;)

But the only ways to grow closer to Jesus aren't just reading the bible, praying, or doing devotions. Serving others is another, excellent way to grow closer to Him.

The last verse “Even in the darkness light shines on honest people. It shines on those who are kind and tender and godly.” This is the New International Reader’s Version. Other words used in that last sentence in other versions are: gracious, compassionate, and righteous.

What does it mean to be compassionate? I honestly think those of you who spoke about the Mission Trip hit the nail on the head! Any time we do service work, how easy is it to just view that as work, and not really think about the impact you're having on someone's life.

During SOS this past summer we created bags for homeless kids at Thomasboro Academy. To you, you were just putting snacks and a cut out of a frog in a bag, but did you stop to think about the kid who got that food? Did you think about the kid who got to eat the pudding cup, and that was all they had to eat that day? Or on the mission trip ... The day we did work at the Children’s Center was a great example. Going into that work, knowing there would be no kids there, and that you’d just be cleaning, had us all down. A lot of you commented that it felt like you were just cleaning your room or doing chores around the house, nothing to get excited about.

However, later your views changed. Niall explained that he, “saw what I was doing mattered. Those kids deserved a clean place to hang out and do homework. I wasn’t just doing chores, I was truly helping people.”

Sometimes we feel like we have to do extravegent work that others notice to really have done something. That’s not the case. Some of my favorite times to show compassion are when no one is watching. Someone steals from a vending machine (yes it’s possible) and so you leave a dollar to pay for it. Someone drops a paper on their way to the bus, and you pick it up. Letting someone take the last seat at the cafeteria table. Etc.

There is so much that we can do to show compassion on a daily basis. The coolest part is  you have no idea the impact that you’ll have had on that person’s day. They could have just had the worst day of their life and your smile, or sweet gesture completely turned their day around.

Not only are you shining Jesus’ light for others to see, but you, yourself are getting to truly feel His spirit welling up inside of you.

This is another way Jesus calls us to grow closer to Him, being Him in this crazy world!

Reflect:

Do something today (or tomorrow) to show compassion to someone.

After you’ve done your small act, reflect on it.

How have you grown closer to Jesus through your acts?

Love and Blessings!

Christine