This is what the Lord Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Zechariah 7:9
“Compassion asks us to go where it hurts, to enter into the places of pain, to share in brokenness, fear, confusion, and anguish. Compassion challenges us to cry out with those in misery, to mourn with those who are lonely, to weep with those in tears. Compassion requires us to be weak with the weak, vulnerable with the vulnerable, and powerless with the powerless. Compassion means full immersion in the condition of being human.”
Henri Nouwen, et al in Compassion: A Reflection on the Christian Life (New York: Doubleday) 4.
Weak, vulnerable, and powerless. That’s how God desires us to serve others. That’s how Christ appeared on earth. That’s how the Spirit works through us. What is the result?
Our generosity takes the shape of true justice. All are treated fairly and kindly. We show mercy, giving people what they need and don’t deserve. And, our compassion looks like love in action.
My GTP trip to El Salvador and Guatemala is drawing to a close. The Journey of Empowerment was so well received in both countries, participants plan to spread it through their networks.
Multiplying faithful stewards happens when we serve others from a place of weakness rather than strength, vulnerability instead of superficiality, and powerlessness in place of power. I’m learning this in real-time.