Living 4 Him

“As we live in God, our love grows more perfect.” 1 John 4:17

I read recently that our spirituality will never be complete until we reach out to the community around us.  Perhaps this is the underlying meaning to Jesus’ words in Matthew 16:25 “If you want to find your life, you must lose it.”  And in John 13 as we witness Jesus washing the feet of his disciples, this model of complete spirituality comes to life.

Phillip Brooks, composer of the much-loved carol O Little Town of Bethlehem, is quoted as saying, “Duty makes us do things well, but love makes us do them beautifully.”  These words most definitely shine through Jesus as we read of his duties in the gospels.  Jesus lived to give, and his actions demonstrate compassion flowing through him.  Over the next few weeks, we will examine compassion, illustrated through Jesus, as we cultivate compassion in our own lives.    

In Mark 6, the disciples have returned from various places, sharing stories of their first steps into ministry.  Jesus senses their excited yet weary bodies need some time to rest and process, so he suggests they take a boat to get away to a quiet place.  Unknown to them, a crowd follows their boat and hurries to arrive before Jesus and his group, upsetting any plans for a “quiet place.”  But Jesus gazes, with an understanding heart, and verse 34 tells us,

” . . . he had compassion on them.  They were like sheep without a shepherd.”

His compassion would not allow him to turn from the crowd.  His compassion actually turned him to the crowd and he began to teach truth and wisdom that every heart needed to know.  The time passes quickly into hours and Jesus realizes the people need something to eat (he probably does, too!),  and again, he doesn’t turn them away, but provides exactly what they need by producing a hearty meal from five loaves and two fishes.  Recognizing a need . . . drawing on compassion to fulfill the need . . . a path to complete spirituality. 

Isn’t this same compassion repeated every night as parents, after a full day of work, come home to make dinner, help kids with homework, read books with kids or do laundry?  Or the caregiver who tirelessly gives a spouse or a parent undivided attention in tasks they never dreamed they could accomplish?  Even our pets are recipients of compassion as we give time and attention to care for them!  Our daily duties take on a new perspective when we discover that as we recognize needs and meet those needs, we are acting in compassion.

As I contemplated compassion, I began drafting qualities that help us to live as more compassionate people. 

Compassion is understanding how other people feel.

Compassion is wanting the best for others.

Compassion is seeing everyone as worthy of love.

Compassion is helping to meet the needs of others.

Compassion is bringing joy, hope, love and peace to others.

Compassion is opening your heart to the work has God for you to do.

Other qualities will come to your mind as you contemplate compassion in your life.

This quote by Kim Meeder from her book Hope Rising is one that brought insight to me as I taught school each day: “The greatest love, the greatest peace, the greatest joy is giving what we have, not seeking what we want.”

May it be so for you.

Reaching in (allowing God’s word to work in your soul): The love verses in 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 help us clearly see the path to compassion.  Read these verses and think about how Jesus showed these qualities in his own life. And remember with strong assurance that the compassion that Jesus displayed so beautifully, is the same love and compassion that God showers upon us each day.

Reaching out (taking God’s word into the world): In the days and weeks ahead, take compassion to heart and find ways to be patient and kind, ways to be content and forgiving, ways to put others first and to believe that love never fails.