The longer we live
the easier it gets to either harden our hearts or soften our attitude towards
people. Part of the way God made us by design is to have compassion for others.
We don’t see it
behind the facade people put on but deep inside, people go through hurt, lack,
loneliness and misery. If we’re to be
like Jesus, we’ve to live as a healer. The only way we can know about
people’s innermost struggles and anguish is to have a heart of compassion.
Recently I was
having a meeting with a young person I’d just met. I wanted to learn more about
him. He is in his mid-twenties. The man works hard and loves his young bride.
They’d moved here from another city in search of jobs. As we talked, I learned
that they’re struggling financially. I dug a little deeper and found out that
this Sunday is the wife’s birthday. The young man loves his wife dearly but he
didn’t have enough money to take his bride out for a nice evening. I asked him,
“How much money do you have in your
pocket?” He told me that he had received $40 from selling his own blood just
before he came to see me so that he could give his wife a nice birthday. I
couldn’t hold back my tears. Looking at him you’d never guess that the young
man is struggling financially. Usually I never carry cash in my pocket but that
day I had a couple of hundred dollars in my pocket that I was able to help him
with. Friend, let’s have a heart of
compassion like our Lord Jesus. Church, let’s stop playing games and help
those in need. Our churches will explode in spite of persecution as we see in
Asia when we learn to genuinely meet the needs of the people. Don’t showcase the pastor or the worship
team or the multi-million dollar facilities. Meet the needs of the hurting people and Jesus will be present in every
meeting!
History confirms
Jesus as one of the greatest person ever lived. One of the things that make
Jesus so amazing is his compassion for people. Having a tender heart is a key to getting God’s blessing and favor in
our own lives. The Bible says we’re liars if we say we love God whom we
cannot see and not love our fellowmen all around us. C. S. Lewis said, “The more often we feel without acting the
less we’ll be able to act and in the long run the less we’ll be able to feel.”
If you don’t have a heart of compassion, you’ve lost everything! I love helping
people. It keeps my own heart tender towards God. If I don’t help the people,
God will still bring others to help them but I’ll miss out on the blessings. I’m
greedy with God’s blessings!
Today, I was
shopping for a guitar for our worship team in a music store. The store was busy.
A young associate passing by asked me, “Can
I help you?” I said, “Sure.” He
was very kind and we struck up a conversation. He started mentioning Christians
worship groups like Hillsong and such. I asked him, “Do you play in the worship team?” He said, “Yes, I used to play for my church when I used to go to college.”
I asked, “Where do you go to church now?”
He replied, “Oh, I don’t.” A
little more probing revealed that his parents were missionaries. But he got
hurt by the church and other Christians. I took time to hear his story right
there in the store. I encouraged him and told him to not give up on God. I got
his phone number and told him I was going to invite him out to lunch and have
him play music for the Lord again. He was very encouraged and said, “I’ve never met a real Christian like you.
You gave me a lot to think about.” I left the store knowing that God will turn
this man around for His glory. How did it all start? A little bit of compassion goes a long way!
Friend, don’t get
hard and callous toward people. Live with a tender heart. Reach out and help
others. In turn, God will bless you more. The only Jesus some people will see
is you. The only prayer some people will hear is yours. The only time people
will feel God’s touch is when you touch others. This Wednesday I’m returning to
India and Nepal. Our goal is to touch 5,000 lives. You can make a difference.
Nothing is too big or too small. Please help if you can and share this post
with others. Love your spouse and your family. Love the people God brings in
your path. Having a heart of compassion will draw in God’s favor in your own
life.
“Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed
down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the
measure you use it will be measured back to you” (Luke 6:38 ESV).
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