Archive for July, 2020

Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. Luke 10:31-34

“Patience is the discipline of compassion because through patience we can live in the fullness of time and invite others to share in it. When we know God is offering salvation to us, there is ample time to be with others and to celebrate life together.

As long as we remain the victims of clock time, which forces us into the rigid patterns of time slots, we are doomed to be without compassion. When we live by the clock we haven ot time for each other: We are always on the way to our next appointment and do not notice the person on the side of the road in need of help; we are increasingly concerned about missing something important and perceive human suffering as a disturbing interruption of our plans; we are constantly preoccupied with our free evening, free weekend, or free month and lose the capacity to enjoy the people we live and work with day in day out…

Patience helps us to give a moment of rest and joy to the driven executive…Patience allows us to take ourselves less seriously…Patience makes us loving, caring, gentle, tender, and always grateful for the abundance of God’s gifts.”

Henri Nouwen in Compassion: A Reflection on the Christian Life (New York: Image Doubleday, 1983) 98-99.

This post pegged me. I am so driven by clock time. Whereas, the compassionate and generous person may be largely unproductive in worldly terms. Perhaps you are realizing the same thing? If so, read it again.

God grant us patience so we can live in the fullness of time. Give us eyes to see and respond to the opportunities around us. Awake us from our preoccupations so we enjoy life day in and day out. Amen.

Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. Matthew 5:15

“Discipline in the Christian life should never be construed as a rigorous method or technique to attain compassion. Compassion is not a skill that we can master by arduous training, years of study, or careful supervision. We cannot get a Master’s degree or a Ph.D. in compassion. Compassion is a divine gift and not a result of systematic study or effort. At a time when many programs are designed to help us become more sensitive, perceptive, and receptive, we need to be reminded continuously that compassion is not conquered but given, not the outcome of our hard work but the fruit of God’s grace. In the Christian life, discipline is the human effort to unveil what has been covered, to bring to the foreground what has remained hidden, and to put on a lampstand what has been kept under a basket. It is like raking away the leaves that covered the pathways in the garden of our soul. Discipline enables the revelation of God’s divine Spirit in us.”

Henri Nouwen in Compassion: A Reflection on the Christian Life (New York: Image Doubleday, 1983) 88.

What is the role of discipline in your life related to compassion?

I would be the first to consider the pursuit of compassion as an academic exercise. What I am finding, this year, is that related to generosity, discipline really is the human effort that submits to the Spirit’s work, that brings it to the foreground and puts it on a lampstand .

In God’s providence, I am thankful this raking away of the proverbial leaves coincided with the COVID-19 crisis. It has helped me see that compassion is the fruit of God’s grace and only as His grace is at work in me can I be generous and compassionate.

As you think about compassion during crisis times, discipline yourself to focus on the grace of Jesus Christ. This enables the work of the Spirit. And remember, one of the fruits that the Spirit produces is generosity, so it will be a double blessing for sure.

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 2 Peter 1:3-4

“As soon as we think that our careers are our vocation, we are in danger of returning to the ordinary and proper places governed by human competition and if using our talents more to separate ourselves from others than to unite ourselves with them in common life. A career disconnected from a vocation divides; a career that expresses obedience to our vocation is the concrete way of making our unique talents available to the community. Therefore it is not our careers, but our vocation, that should guide our lives…

A vocation is not the exclusive privilege of monks, priests, religious sisters, or a few heroic laypersons. God calls everyone who is listening; there is no individual or group for whom God’s call is reserved. But to be effective, a call must be heard, and to hear it we must continually discern our vocation amidst the escalating demands of our career.

Thus, we see how the voluntary displacement leads to a new togetherness in which we can recognize our sameness in common vulnerability, discover ouor unique talents as gifts for the upbuilding of the community, and listen to God’s call, which continually summons us to vocation far beyond the aspirations of our career.”

Henri Nouwen in Compassion: A Reflection on the Christian Life (New York: Image Doubleday, 1983) 82-84.

This pursuit of compassion, especially during COVID-19, is not a competitive quest but a movement toward our calling or vocation that is rooted in God’s generosity.

Notice in today’s Scripture that His divine power has given us everything we need because of His goodness or generosity. Did you hear that? We have everything we need. Everything!

That means that we don’t have to go chase after anything. We lack nothing. We must, instead rely on His promises as that the pathway for participating in the divine nature.

That means our growth only comes when we trust God to do what He says He will do. And related to generosity, He wants us to position ourselves as conduits of community blessing.

We get there through the doorway of voluntary displacement and vulnerability. Or in plain terms, when we set aside our desires and make ourselves nothing like Jesus did.

God, help us fulfill our calling. We trust in your precious promises. Make us conduits of blessing. Hear our prayer. Work by your Holy Spirit in us for the glory of Jesus. Amen.

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Philippians 2:3-7

“By revealing the unique gifts of the other, we learn to empty ourselves. Self-emptying does not ask of us to engage ourselves in some form of self-castigation or self-scrutiny, but to pay attention to others in such a way that they begin to recognize their own value. Paying attention to our brothers and sisters in the human family is far from easy. We tend to be insecure about our self-worth and so much in need of affirmation that it is very hard not to ask for attention ourselves, referring to our experiences, telling our stories, or turning the subject of conversation toward our oown territory. The familiar sentence, “That reminds me of…” is a standard method of shifting attention from other to ourselves. To pay attention to others with the desire to make them the center and to make their interests our own is a real form of self-emptying, since to be able to receive others into our intimate inner space we must be empty. That is why listening is so difficult. It means our moving away from the center of attention and inviting others into that space.”

Henri Nouwen in Compassion: A Reflection on the Christian Life (New York: Image Doubleday, 1983) 79.

Paying attention to others is a beautiful act of generosity. The only way to get there is to get rid of empty conceit by self-emptying. It’s easier said that done.

For my part, I find that I want to be known. It doesn’t help that I have a lot of words, so I can be guilty of Nouwen’s familiar sentence, “That reminds me off…”

What about you? Are you guilty of shifting attention to yourself rather than paying attention to others? What might it look like for you to attune generously to others?

If there’s one thing COVID-19 is doing for us, it is giving us the opportunity to grow in ways that will help us love others more generously. God, help us not waste this crisis.

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 1 Corinthians 12:7

“When we have discovered that our sense of self does not depend on our differences and that our self-esteem is based on a love much deeper than the praise that can be acquired by unusual performances, we can see our unique talents as gifts for others. Then, too, we will notice that the sharing of our gifts does not diminish our own value as persons but enhances it. In community, the particular talents of the individual members become like the little stones that form a great mosaic. The fact that a little gold, blue, or red piece is part of a splendid mosaic makes it not less but more valuable because it contributes to an image much greater than itself. Thus, our dominant feeling toward each other can shift from jealousy to gratitude. With increasing clarity, we can see the beauty in each other and call it forth, so that it may become part of our total life together.”

Henri Nouwen in Compassion: A Reflection on the Christian Life (New York: Image Doubleday, 1983) 77-78.

You and I are part of something bigger. But our sense of self does not come from celebrating our differences (like many people tend to say in our world today) but the gratitude for being part of the whole. Ponder that.

The Spirit gives us each something to offer not to shine the light on ourselves but for the common good. Generosity comes into view as playing our part, as little stones, for the greater good and the glory of Christ, our Cornerstone.

In so doing, sharing our gifts does not diminish us but enhances us and those around us. We bring out the beauty in each  other. Each of us has been blessed to be a blessing. We discover this in the community of the mosaic.

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:10-11

“When we give up our desires to be outstanding or different, when we let go of our needs to have our own special niches in life, when our main concern is to be the same, and to live out this sameness in solidarity, we are then able to see each other’s unique gifts. Gathered together in common vulnerability, we discover how much we have to give each other.

The Christian community is the opposite of a highly uniform group of people whose behavior has been toned down to a common denominator and whose originality has been dulled. On the contrary, the Christian community, gathered in common discipleship, is the place where individual gifts can be called forth and put into service for all.”

Henri Nouwen in Compassion: A Reflection on the Christian Life (New York: Image Doubleday, 1983) 77.

It was great to see family, even if it was only for a few days. By God’s grace, we made the 18 hour drive back from California to Colorado safely. We plan to quarantine for 14 days.

I’m excited to have my first GTP staff meeting today with the addition of Matthew Gadsden, CFO & Strategy Catalyst, from Adelaide, Australia. 

The key for this service to all vision to break forth is understanding the distinction between common denominator and common discipleship.

When unity is based on a few overlapping likes or interests (common denominator), we will largely remain divided and only parts of us will be celebrated and accepted.

But when our unity is based on who we are in Christ (common discipleship), then the diversity of each person is appreciated with love. It’s fun to watch the GTP team take shape.

Five people from five countries with unique gifts. Pray that through common vulnerability and solidarity, we can learn how much we have to give each other and for service to all.

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Philippians 2:1-2

“Joy and gratitude are the qualities of the heart by which we recognize those who are committed to a life of service in the path of Jesus Christ. We see this in families where parents and children are attentive to one another’s needs and spend time together despite many outside pressures. We see it in those who always have room for a stranger, an extra plate for a visitor, time for someone in need. We see it in the sudents who work with the elderly, and in the many men and women who offer money, time, and energy for those who are hungry, in prison, sick, or dying. We see it in the sisters who work with the poorest of poor. Wherever we see real service we also see joy, because in the midst of service a divine presence becomes visible and a gift is offered. Therefore, those who serve as followers of Jesus discover that they are receiving more than they are giving. Just as a mother does not need to be rewarded for the attention she pays to her child, because her child is her joy, so those who serve their neighbor will find their reward in the people whom they serve.”

Henri Nouwen in Compassion: A Reflection on the Christian Life (New York: Image Doubleday, 1983) 30.

As I read my book in the morningquietness of a large rented house with relatives who had come together by Lake Tahoe (pictured above), slowly my nieces and nephews, young parents, emerged with little kids. At that point, this reading came to life before my eyes.

When feeding a little baby with a bottle, a young mom received more blessing than she extends. The same was true for a young father. Soon the room was filled with life and happiness. While some sacrificed to wake up early, their service was abundantly rewarded.

The invitation to generous and compassionate service is, paradoxically, an invitation to receive more than we give. We don’t figure it out until we live it out that abundant joy and gratitude await us. When we adopt the mind of Christ, look what awaits us!

I have a way to go to exhibit tenderness and compassion. But what I will say is that setting aside my work on my daily post and helping the young parents with their toddlers was the highlight of my morning. It was even better than the good cup of coffee my son-in-law made for me. That was good too!

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:20b

“When do we receive real comfort and consolation? Is it when someone teaches us how to think or act? Is it when we receive advice about where to go or what to do? Is it when we hear words of reassurance and hope? Sometimes perhaps? But what really counts is that in moments of pain and suffering someone stays with us.

More important than any particular action or word of advice is the simple presence of someone who cares. When someone says to us in the midst of a crisis, “I do not know what to say or what tot do, but I want you to realize that I am with you, that I will not leave you alone,” we have a friend through whom we can find consolation and comfort.

In a time filled with methods and techniques designed to change people, to influence their behavior, and to make them do new things and think new thoughts, we have lost the simple but difficult gift of being present to each other.

We have lost the gift because we have been led to believe that presence must be useful. We say, “Why should I visit this person? I can’t do anything anyway. I don’t even have anything to say. Of what use can I be?” Meanwhile, we have forgotten that it is often in “useless,” unpretentious, humble presence to each other that we feel consolation and comfort.”

Henri Nouwen in Compassion: A Reflection on the Christian Life (New York: Image Doubleday, 1983) 11-12.

Today is “Independence Day” in the USA. Each time it rolls around I remind myself and others that while our ancestors revolted against tyranny to establish a place for the freedoms that we now enjoy, our forefathers never intended us to navigate life in an independent manner.

The “simple but difficult gift” to give others especially during a pandemic is our presence. It’s difficult because at social distance it becomes really awkward. Checking in, perhaps with Zoom or some other tool, however, is important, not with an agenda, but to be present to each other.

As CEO of GTP with the saying “with you,” I have intentionally tried to build a culture of presence. You can read about it here. What’s been hard for me in this COVID season is to “be present” with people all over the world and still present to those around me. Despite the difficulty, we must try.

As COVID may be with us for a while, let us daily enjoy the gift of the presence of Jesus with us. We are not alone. From there, let us share the simple but difficult gift of being present to those around us and those we serve, reminding them that they are not alone.

And, together, let us declare our dependence on God and each other to make it through each day. I plan to do that today as Sophie, Peter, Jenni and I meet up with Jenni’s family at Lake Tahoe in a rented house to observe the 60th anniversary of her parents. Happy Anniversary, John and Wilma Pickrell.

With you!

You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate. Luke 6:36

“This command does not restate the obvious, something we already wanted but had forgotten, as an idea in line with our natural aspirations. On the contrary, it is a call that goes right against the grain; that turns us completely around and requires a total conversion of the heart and mind. It is indeed a radical call, a call that goes to the roots of our lives.”

Henri Nouwen in Compassion: A Reflection on the Christian Life (New York: Image Doubleday, 1983) 8.

As the pandemic persists, more of us are become aware of people we once greeted at church or in the daily course of life, who are no longer with us. It has taken their life.

In response, we can be tempted to retreat and move away from suffering. God help us focus not so much on our own well-being but to minister as conduits of divine kindness and care.

I am becoming convinced that generosity during a pandemic must be combined with compassion. As I explore this more deeply in the days to come, I am thankful God made this my word for 2020.

This “turns us completely around and requires a total conversion of the heart and mind” to live out. God help us be compassionate, by the power of your Holy Spirit, in Jesus name. Amen.

As a father has compassion on His children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. Psalm 103:13

“Compassion erases the mistakes of life, just as the rubber end of a pencil removes the smudges on the paper. Perhaps this is how most of us really feel and think when we are honest with ourselves. Compassion is neither our central concern nor our primary stance in life. What we really desire is to make it in life, to get ahead, to be first, to be different. We want to forge our identities by carving out of ourselves niches life where we can maintain a safe distance from other. We do not aspire to suffer with others.

On the contrary, we develop methods and techniques that allow us to stay away from pain. Hospitals and funeral homes often become places to hide the sick and dead. Suffering is unattractive, if not repelling and disgusting. The less we are confronted with it, the better. This is our principal attitude, and in this context compassion means noo more than the small soft eraser at the end of a long hard pencil. To be compassionate means to be kind and gentle to those who get hurt by competition.

A miner who gets caught undergrouond evokes compassion; a student who breaks down under pressure of exams evokes compassion; a mother on welfare who does not have enough food and clothes for her children evokes compassion; an elderly woman who is dying alone in the anonymity of big city evokes compassion. But our primary frame of reference remains competition.”

Henri Nouwen in Compassion: A Reflection on the Christian Life (New York: Image Doubleday, 1983) 6-7.

For those of us who admit to being competitive, it may be hard for us to also be compassionate. And with COVID-19 we can use “social distance” as an excuse to keep a “safe distance” from anyone who suffers.

I am not saying you can’t be both competitive and compassionate (as I want there to be hope for people like me), but based on Nouwen’s thoughts here, it may be tough to have both of these traits. This is sobering for people who want to be generous.

Over the next week I will post quotes from this book as I am reading it seeking to grow in compassion and generosity in the second half of this year.

I must start with the confession that I think I tend to use an eraser with the mistakes of life. I am learning that the generous thing to do is to move toward pain and suffering.

LORD, thanks for having compassion on us. Help me treat others with the same compassion and move toward and not away from pain and suffering. Amen.