We don’t typically equate compassion with strength. However, my younger brother, Thomas, is one of the most compassionate people I know and—if you know him, you also know—he is a man of great strength.
Thomas uses his great strength to show compassion.
Thomas is the guy who will pull off the interstate in a blizzard to help a stranded motorist change a tire. He’s the guy who will buy a complete stranger food and clothing. He’s the guy who will stop and listen to someone who is hurting and needs to talk—even for hours. Thomas is a talented and patient teacher—whether it’s a complex subject in the Bible, or how to change your brakes. He is the guy who knows you need to be wrapped in a big bear-hug even before you say a word. He would give you his last dollar. My brother speaks the language of the hurting and downtrodden by meeting their physical and emotional needs which—opens the door for him to minister to their most vital spiritual needs.
We are ALL given a measure of strength—but is it of any use if it’s not being used to demonstrate love?
“By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.“
I John 3:16-18
What kind of physical “strengths” have YOU been given?
Perhaps God has blessed you with wealth or great possessions. Perhaps you have time because you are bedridden or retired. Maybe you have skills like carpentry, cooking, writing, or you are trained in a trade. If you are reading this devotional, you have a gift. Your gifts are a platform to exercise compassion and thereby open the door to lead people to know God.
Time and money are two of our most jealously guarded resources, but for what purpose? We won’t benefit from our physical resources beyond this lifetime unless they are being used for an eternal purpose. It’s so amazing that God gives us the privilege to use our time and money to reap earthly blessings as well as eternal blessings! It begins with having compassion for those around us. People of all socioeconomic backgrounds need compassion. When we are “in Christ” and moved by His Spirit, He gives us the knowledge about who is ready to receive love. It may be your rich neighbor. Or may be the annoying child in your Wednesday night kid club. It may be your next customer. The Spirit knows.
When we’re listening with a heart of compassion, we can get in on the Jesus-action and radically change someone else’s life forever!
Thomas epitomizes a REAL man—kind, bright, blessed to overflowing with talent, and completely willing to sacrifice his time and money in compassion—all for God’s glory. He inspires me today to remember that compassion is what I do, not just what I say.
When we are in love with God, we live in love—we don’t just talk about it. 😀
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One Response
Inspiring.👌