To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. 1 Corinthians 9:22
“We often expect from others more than we are willing to do ourselves. Why have we hitherto thought so intemperately about man and his frailty and temptability? We must learn to regard people less in light of what they do or omit to do, and more in light of what they suffer. The only profitable relationship to others — and especially to our weaker brethren — is one of love, and that means the will to hold fellowship with them. God Himself did not despise humanity, but became man for men’s sake.”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer in Witness to Jesus Christ, edited by John de Gruchy (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1991) 262.
My word for the year was compassion. That means you got to study it too. Thanks for journeying with me. As Bonhoeffer put it, “We must learn to regard people less in light of what they do or omit to do, and more in light of what they suffer.” That’s the empathy part of compassion.
Then, we demonstrate “the will to hold fellowship with them.” That’s the love part, and perhaps the hardest. I find that we may not like people or even agree with them, but we get to choose to fellowship with them. This gives them a gift, and we always receive a greater blessing in return when we give it.
As the year draws to a close, consider how the relationships around you can be more profitable. It’s actually not by doing more but by loving well with empathy. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32
Happy New Year! Give generously according to your ability to your church and a portfolio of ministries. Make a gift to GTP to help us expand our team and translate resources into many languages in 2021 for multiplying faithful stewards globally. And, stay tuned for the word for 2021. I will reveal it tomorrow.