The Power of Compassion

Welcome to the inaugural post of my Monday Morning (afternoon?) Blog!

It was great to have Jeff and Kathy Swaim with us yesterday as we launched our One Day To Feed The World (ODTFTW) initiative in partnership with Convoy of Hope. What a great Sunday!  As I have reflected on yesterday, I was struck by the idea that compassion carries power. Sunday was packed with stories of transformation that occurred as a direct result of Jesus’ love “spilling” out of Christ-followers onto hurting humanity.

Jeff referenced Jesus’ words recorded in Luke 14:26 which say, If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. It’s a statement of comparison, that unless my love for Him is first and central, I cannot become the type of follower He asks of me. It was and is an invitation to die to everything else in my life (i.e., hate my father...mother...etc) so that I may gain a life that is directed by and devoted to Jesus Christ. Jesus speaks about this same thought in Mark 8:34-35.

Yesterday’s “big idea” is compassion flows from a life that is filling up with love for Jesus. All human love and compassion runs out, but compassion that stems from a life that is learning to be fueled by God’s love is sustainable.  

Matthew 9 records the familiar words about Jesus being moved with compassion over people who were “helpless and harassed.” Jesus concludes that scene by saying, The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. ³⁸Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Matt. 9:38

Here are some questions to consider as you seek to be a conduit of compassion this week:

1.      What are some ways our love for Jesus takes a “back seat” to other relationships, activities, or things? how does it happen?

2.      List the times in your life when you have felt full of God’s love. Why was that so?

3.      If compassion is love in action, then what are some ways to demonstrate compassion this Easter season?

4.      In Matthew 9:38, Jesus is moved not only by the need for compassion but also the shortage of compassion, which is why He asks us to pray people are willing to serve in His “harvest field” or world. What are some ways to pray for workers?

As we march toward Easter, I am praying the following ways: First, I’m asking what day/days God would have me work on behalf of the poor and forgotten around our world through our One Day To Feed The World initiative. ODTFTW is all about setting aside one day’s wage to give to the poor and forgotten in our world. During our three Easter weekend services (Sat. 4/23 @ 5:30pm, and Sunday 4/24 @ 9am & 11am) we will receive a special offering to do just that! 7,500.00 dollars buys 20 tons of food...20! I’m praying that we can send 100 tons of food to some of the most needy and destitute people on planet earth.
Second, I’m praying for people I will invite to our Easter services. We will have invite cards available this week for everyone to use. Finally, I’m praying that I will connect with God in fresh and meaningful ways as I consider once again His incredible demonstration of love (compassion!) toward me this Easter season (John 3:16-17) The power of compassion is this...it holds the potential to transform our world one loving act at a time.

Grace and peace,

Frank