The Golden Rule at Work

Do you consider yourself a compassionate person?  I think most people would probably say yes.  We think to ourselves, "Sure, I'm a compassionate person."  I feel compassion towards a relative, friend or neighbor who is going through a difficult time; I cringe at the idea of animal cruelty; I cry and my heart aches at the stories of the devastating poverty affecting millions around the world. 

Compassion is defined as "a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering."  Note that last part. Compassion is more than just 'feeling' something.  It is a 'strong desire' to actually do something about it. 

Last year I read the book "The Fitting Room" by Kelly Minter twice.  In the book she examines Colossians 3:12 and what, as Christians, we are called to 'clothe' ourselves with.  Paul writes to the Colossians: "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."  

Kelly writes: "I think compassion is always coupled with action.  True compassion anyhow.  It's easy to offer sympathy with a quick prayer or deep sigh but another thing altogether to stop our forward movement in the midst of the pressing crowd of our schedules and agendas and "Jesus work," and offer to do something.  In the gospels we find Jesus demonstrating and teaching, over and over, that action is an integral part of compassion."

Kelly goes on to write that "As with all the virtues, compassion has many enemies, but selfishness is at the top of the list."  

She also shared what I found to be an interesting idea: "I have so much self-centeredness that blocks the way and so many fears that are rooted in my longing for comfort and familiarity.  I don't naturally love sacrifice.  But I find that my capacity for compassion is like a balloon that expands when the air of Christ's comfort is breathed into my own afflictions.  When I go to Jesus in my sufferings, He comforts me with a comfort that I can then blanket upon others who are similarly hurting (2 Corinthians 1:3-7). So when we find ourselves numb to the needs of others, it may be because we have not recently, or ever, let Jesus tend to us in the place of our woundedness.  We have no supernatural comfort to extend to others because we ourselves have not been comforted."

I found that enlightening.  That our own brokenness and untended hurts need to be addressed and healed before we can truly be of use to others.  Otherwise it's all just lip service and empty works.    

Putting compassion into action can be done in many ways.  I think the best place to start is always in your own home and community but we are all part of the global community too.  So finding a ministry or an organization that is putting into action aid and assistance that resonates with you, is also a valuable way to demonstrate compassion.   

In addition to the national missionaries program and Bridge of Hope centers, Gospel for Asia has what it calls, Compassion Services.  Under the umbrella of GFA's Compassion Services is a Leprosy Ministry, a Medical Ministry, a Slum Ministry and Flood/Disaster Relief Work.  GFA-supported missionaries and volunteers assist survivors of natural disasters by providing food, water, medical care, clothing and even shelter.  Teams also minister to slum dwellers and leprosy patients in some of Asia's major cities.

Leprosy seems like an ancient/Biblical disease that should no longer exist.  I think of the story in Chapter 17 of the Gospel of Luke where Jesus healed the ten lepers.  But, leprosy is not just a Biblical disease.  Leprosy remains very real and continues to be a greatly feared disease across Asia.  There are reportedly more than 1,000 leper colonies in India alone.  Thanks to medical advancements there is a cure but the fear and social stigma associated with the disease prevent many from seeking early treatment that could prevent irreparable, permanent damage to skin, nerves, limbs and eyes.

Just like Jesus heard the cry of those ten lepers, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us," and healed them.  God's people in Asia continue to hear the cry of the lepers and work to serve and minister to them.

The main goal of GFA's leprosy ministry is to share the love of Jesus and the hope of the Gospel with the victims of this disease.  GFA-supported national missionaries hold Sunday school ministries and also do social and relief work such as food distribution, medical aid, health and hygiene awareness programs, adult education and tuition centers for children.

I'm sure this can be very difficult, thankless work.  I hope the GFA missionaries find comfort in the fact that even Jesus, who healed those afflicted with leprosy, only received thanks from one of the ten lepers.  I'm so grateful there are people in this world who love and serve Christ and put compassion into action in some of the most difficult, hurting communities.  Praise God!