Compassion

By Paul Chappell

"But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send for labourers into his harvest."

Matthew 9:36-38

George Truett was a tremendously effective pastor for decades in Texas. His heart was broken when he accidentally killed his best friend while they were on a hunting trip. His daughter said that she never heard him laugh after that day. Truett had a radio program, and each day when it came to a close he would say, “Be good to everybody, because everybody is having a tough time.” Because he knew personally what a heavy burden people could be carrying, he encouraged compassion toward them.

Sometimes we cross paths with people who seem to be brusque and not very easy to like. Yet there is usually a reason for their behavior, and often it is because they are hiding a heavy heart. If we take the time to understand what has happened, we may find that while they have a tough outer exterior, inwardly they are desperately wishing for someone to care about them.

When Jesus looked on people, He had compassion on them and wanted to meet their needs. There is no shortage of people we can help if we simply will open our eyes toward them in compassion. In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus talked about the priest and the Levite who passed by the injured man without stopping to help. It is a tragedy when we allow the busyness of life to prevent us from taking time to reach out in compassion to those in need. Instead we should stop and do everything we can to help them.

Today's Rooted Principle:

All around you today there are people with heavy hearts. When you show them compassion, you are truly being like Jesus.