Compassion

Deep awareness of the suffering of another coupled with the wish to relieve it.

That’s a dictionary definition. I’ve been thinking about compassion a lot lately, and why I so often fall short of it. I think that we can miss the mark stoically and wish to alleviate suffering without feeling anything toward our brother or sister. We can miss the mark emotionally and be overwhelmed with sympathy without actually doing anything about it.

I think I mess up because my awareness is so shallow. Deep awareness is what Christ felt when he was ‘moved with compassion’ and what Paul meant when he said to ‘pray without ceasing.’ I can’t claim to have compassion because, though I have the ear of the sovereign God, I choose to think on trivial things over intercession. God asks me to feel, to care, to think, to do, and to pray. Over and over.

Philippians 2:3

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourself.

This is so difficult for me. I’ve been realizing through a recent conflict the hold that pride has on me. I saw myself angry with someone and asking God, ‘what is my obligation toward this person?’ I was willing to love, but shallowly. I know, this is not love at all. I of course did not ask ‘what is my obligation toward myself?’ It’s assumed within my thought process that I will make sure I am taken care of. Maybe that means winning. Maybe that means losing and showing myself to be a better ‘follower’ of God in my losing. But not losing losing. That’s asking a bit much, isn’t it?

Yet Christ lost lost. He did it. How can i do any less?

 

 

Discipleship

Some stuff I wrote last weekend…

Mantalk Mission Statement: To make disciples who are prepared to lead lives devoted to knowing Jesus and His teachings, and who are equipped to share His love with the world.

Tenets of Discipleship:

1. Personal encounter/relationship with God.
2. Sound Biblical teaching.
3. Participation in the service of the Kingdom.