Compassion

Good morning!

How’s everyone’s week been? I know it’s been a little hectic recently, with school and finals and all, but don’t forget that light at the end of the tunnel! You’re almost done! 😉 (Or, some of you may already be done, and that’s AWESOME.)

Today, I want to talk about the power and the influence we leave on each other.

Are you a people-watcher? Do you ever catch yourself watching others, silently observing and judging? You can’t say no, because we all do. Everyone is a people-watcher. Maybe some more than others, but everyone’s done it.

If you think about it, you sure can learn a LOT about a person just by watching them for a few minutes. People exemplify who they are on the inside by how they act on the outside. It just happens naturally, in the way they talk, in the way they dress, in the way they treat others, etc.

And you know something scary? People watch you, too. Even if you’re a quiet, introverted person who thinks you’re practically invisible, people still watch you. They just don’t always make it incredibly evident. What do you think they see in you? Be honest.

One of my favorite bible stories is in Acts 3:1-10:

One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the  afternoon. Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Can you imagine how much this man has suffered? He is a beggar because he hasn’t been able to walk from birth. I’m sure he is an expert people-watcher, don’t you think? For his entire life, he has watched people enter and leave the temple. I’m sure most of them won’t even meet his eyes, pretending to not even notice him so they can avoid him.

Then, one day, Peter and John come along. And they actually stop. They look him straight in the eye, and they SPEAK to him! Not only do they speak with him, but they help him, and they grab that chance to mention Jesus.

That man’s life was changed that day, and it was all thanks to two people who stopped and CARED.

In Peter and John, the beggar saw compassion.

People should see compassion in you, too. They should see someone who cares about them, someone who cares enough to actually take time for them. They should see the love of Jesus shining through you.

Do you build people up, or do you tear them down? Do you express the love and compassion of Christ, or do you express fleshly selfishness and the attitude that you could care less? Sometimes, even, it’s the things you don’t do more than the things you do. How many opportunities have you missed, opportunities where you could have spread the love of Christ? Because Jesus sure did have a ton of compassion.

Every day, you leave an impact on people. Do you want to impact them in a positive way, or a negative way? If you want to be like Jesus, you should be trying to build people up, not tear them down.

Look for opportunities each and every day to be compassionate and spread the love of Christ.

Have a great day, and thanks for reading! God bless.