Lord, Grant Me Compassion

(Repost of 4/07)

A few days ago I received my class of '93 newsletter from Texas A&M. As I was reading the first page, I was really a little surprised at what it said. Obviously lots of my class members have been going through some hard times. It actually mentioned the letters and updates they had been receiving about all the bad news and changes that were taking place. I know it is going on. I see it happening all around me. Divorce, death, people with broken hearts and spirits, and a lot of us walking around with numbness -- no compassion, no feelings. Where has the compassion and down home friendly support gone? I am just as much to blame. Sometimes I can get so caught up in my own world and I just ignore or pretend that there is no one hurting out there. It is too much of an inconvenience to get involved in someone else's problems. Or, when I do, they pull away, which in turn discourages me making me hold back even more.

Our pastor one Sunday even mentioned it. His wife was on her way to take their dog to the vet. She ran out of gas. No one stopped to help. No one. Finally, a Frisco police officer pulled up to offer assistance. She mentioned no one would stop to help her. They were pulling up behind her in the turn lane and honking! He said "Yeah, no one stops to help anymore. They just don't do it."

A couple of months ago, I had just left the hospital from visiting our friend who had surgery. I was feeling an extreme amount of love for mankind that day. The Lord was opening my heart for his people. A feeling of helpfulness came over me. Soon after, I saw a car parked on a side street of a busy road. I thought maybe that person needed help or could use my cell phone. So I pulled up behind the car and stopped. It was an elderly woman who was having problems with her radiator. I offered her my phone but she already had one. We discussed what to do and she finally got her mechanic on the phone. I drove away. She would be fine.

I wasn't able to help much. But I stopped. Something I have never done or least not in a very long while. I just didn't stop for anyone either.

But I stopped.

I think the fact that I recognize my need to offer more compassion and help is God reminding me that he is there to heal the pain and hurting. He is there with arms open wide with more compassion and love than we can ever imagine. I want to cry out to him immediately when a painful memory or situation crosses my path. I don't understand all the reasons that he brings pain. But I do know that it makes us cry out to Him...he wants us to cry out to Him. He is the healer and deliverer of all pain and hurt. And, he reminds me that we will suffer pain. It is part of our growth as believers in Him.

"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, if it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner? So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good." (1 Peter 4:12-19)

Those verses are powerful. Judgment begins with HIS people. Pain can be judgment from God. I have been in this judgment. I have endured the pain of turning from his ways, even if it seems ever so slight. Most of the time what keeps me on the right track is fear of this pain! The pain that I do endure calls out to me to seek Him with more hunger than ever before.

When Beth or Parker come in with a boo-boo we wash it, kiss it and patch it up and make it all better. This kind of pain is temporary, probably not one that is going to make them cry out to the Lord. Sometimes my compassion in these instances even is lacking because it's not any deep heartfelt pain or suffering. The type that everyone says "time will heal". I want to have compassion in the little things as well as the big things. My love and care with the little "boo-boos" will help me give support when it's needed for much larger ones.

As I pray for the Lord to continue to work compassion in my heart for his hurting people, I rest in His hope. Hope that by our suffering our characters are strengthened for His glory. "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James 1:2-4)

My prayer also is for those that are hurting to reach out to the hope and comfort of our Lord, for His compassion is great.

"The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him." (Lamentations 3:25)

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13)

"Look upon my suffering and deliver me, for I have not forgotten your law. Defend my cause and redeem me; preserve my life according to your promise. Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek out your decrees. Your compassion is great, O Lord; preserve my life according to your laws." (Psalms 119:153-156)

Stupid Evangelism

The greatest lie in American Christianity is to say the "sinner's prayer" and declare yourself saved. We must stop promoting this!