Manifestation

Many of us long for something more and it is not that we are discontent with where we are or what we are doing, but it is more about manifesting our God give skills, talents, and gifts in a manner that allows us to be and do what we are designed to.

We have this burning desire inside that is waiting to EXPLODE... a passion that cannot be contained.

Passion is defined as “a strong feeling” or “an object of affection or enthusiasm.”

From the beginning, in the Garden of Eden, God instructed that we become, which implies manifestation rather than mindless activity. We tend to just work at a job instead of actually finding and manifesting our skills, talents, and gifts. In other words, to work is not about a job, but means to release and expose our full skills, talents, and gifts.

Once we realize that we are to manifest our skills, talents, and gifts we find true freedom; a freedom that is unrestricted and uninhibited. And we begin to live without the heaviness of oppression and dread, that tends to suffocate us on an ongoing bases.

We were not designed to live and function in such a manner, but instead are to discover our purpose in life, define our skills, talents, and gifts, pursue the true freedom and never allow others to restrict or retard our God-given responsibility to experience what it means to fully manifest who He has created us to be and do.

True freedom in a since, is like watching a caterpillar go into a cocoon―to fully develop and mature its skills, talents, and gifts―and then seeing it manifest all that God has designed it to be and do as it flies freely away.

Compassion

Most of us subconsciously feel that we should be a bit more caring and sensitive, but at times it is hard to show concern or sympathy in certain life situation at best. However, we know that God is constantly showering His compassion on us.

The Lord is gracious and compassionate... and rich in love. ~Psalm 145:8

The dictionary defines compassion as “a deep awareness of and sympathy for another's suffering”. Nevertheless, the meaning we will look at and seems to be closer to the context of demonstrating care and sensitivity in word and action, has to do with first being sensitive or rather 'sense' the feelings of others. This is done by picking up vibes from others by observing their behavior or body language. The things they say and the things they don't. All these seemingly little things are picked up and used to develop a “sense” of the other person.

This leads us to being in tune with someone’s emotions/feelings and acting accordingly. In other words, we are taking the extra effort to say and do things which also take the other person's views into consideration. All throughout the Bible we see God’s compassion woven through individual’s lives and if God is a God of great compassion than why aren’t we following in His footsteps.

Having and displaying a character of compassion is about being an extension of God here on earth towards others. Surely God's love is infinite, and surely, He longs to use us as vessels that display his love through compassion.

God desires our involvement in others lives and we, as Christian believers, are the body of Christ in the world, working to do His will, which a part of that is showing compassion. For example, in Jane Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice a story of an upper-middle-class Englishwoman named Lizzy Bennet who is pursued by Mr. Darcy, a brooding and complex man of great wealth. Lizzy’s first impression of Mr. Darcy was that he was arrogant, introverted, and self-serving. So when he declares his love for her, she rejects him. Later, when she learns of his many secret acts of kindness (compassion) for others, Lizzy admits that she had been wrong about Mr. Darcy and agrees to marry him. We, as Christians, are far too often like Lizzy. We too often use our worldly eyes to focus on pettiness rather than seeing others with the eyes of God and showing compassion.

Compassion looks beyond our needs and seeks God’s heart, letting go of our own petty concerns and learning just to be vessels of true compassion.