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.