Compassion Challenge - Results

Reading scripture, earlier this month, presented me with a challenge: Since Jesus is the radiance of God’s Glory (Hebrews 1:3), and since I have Jesus in my heart, what I am doing take to shine this light?? (Please see blogs of January 3 and 4.) It has been almost 3 weeks now that I have focused on showing compassion. Here is my report:

In Scripture, we read that Jesus went to the people as well as they tracked him down in order to receive healing, and even life.

What I did not do:
I did not go to the street people who are needy because I was not sure what I could offer them, in physical terms. I probably should not go by myself. If I want to do this, I need to go with someone who knows what they are doing.

What I did do:
1. I had two opportunities when I wanted to make a snarky comment, but reminded myself that, “Jesus loves this person, too,” so kept my mouth closed.
2. In conjunction with the senior’s home at which I am now a volunteer, I joined some of the residents on a shopping trip to the local Wal-Mart. I got to push a wheelchair with Lucy in it and help her with some purchases. With my focus on compassion, I reminded myself that I was there to serve her needs, whatever was within the scope of my “volunteer” job description. I focused on being patient, pleasant, and helpful, all aspects of showing compassion.

One day I saw on Facebook that one of my South African friends wrote this: “I invited a Zimbabwean lady (Memory) & her baby begging at the traffic light into church yesterday. A blessing for both of us. She left with some food and maybe some hope, too. "Everyone needs compassion... my God is mighty to save."
Hooray – someone is showing compassion!

Then, January 12 – the earthquake in Haiti. Extreme devastation, destruction and death. Rescue, recovery, and rebuilding. Now was my time to act compassionately – I could donate to one of the many charities sending aid to Haiti. But, as I watched the TV reports, I became rather confused about which aid organization to support. One of them, I am already a regular contributor, so that would be easy. Should I jump to get my chequebook out, or give online? It is now 10 days later, and I have not made a donation. What difference can my small donation make? Of course, many small donations add up . . . How does God want me to contribute? Oh, how I would love to adopt several orphans, or go there and help in an orphanage! The first is unrealistic; the second may be something for the future. God is telling me that writing a cheque is too easy; getting my hands involved in needed. Conveniently, my church is organizing practical donations for a group already working in Haiti with orphans. I will join their compassionate efforts.

Well, that is all for now. I am rather disappointed with the results of my compassion assignment. I did not turn into Mother Theresa this month, but did get involved with some seniors who had a need that I could fill. I could not go to Haiti to hold the orphans, but I will help with meeting their needs. These are a good start at shining Jesus’ light in the community and the world!

In February, watch for the next Radiance Challenge!

Radiance Challenge – Compassion

My article called, His Radiance (Jan. 2010), describes the challenge that God put before me: to display Christ’s radiance (God’s glory) through the personal expression of various Christ-like virtues.

Challenge #1 – Compassion

Definition:
Latin: com=with, pati=to suffer
Greek: splagchnizomai = to have one’s bowels yearn; to sympathize, to pity; to be moved with compassion; a gut feeling
Noun: the sharing of/understanding of/concern for another’s suffering or misfortunes
Adjective: compassionate.
Synonyms: sympathy, pity, care, concern, sensitivity, warmth, love, tenderness, mercy, kindness, charity
Antonyms: indifference, cruelty

Some Biblical Examples:
Matthew 9:35-36 “Jesus went through all the towns and villages . . . and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”

Matthew 14:13-14 “When Jesus heard what had happened [about the death of John the Baptist], he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. Then Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.”

Matthew 15:32 “Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down. Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them . . . Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way . . . Then he took the seven loaves and the fish and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people. They all ate and were satisfied . . . the number of those who ate was four thousand men, besides women and children.”

Matthew 18:21-35 The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant – Jesus tells the story of a master who is faced with a distraught servant who cannot pay back his debt to the master. After begging for mercy, the master “took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.” (There is more to this story – I will leave it to you to read).

Reflection:
Jesus went to the people in need, ready to respond as appropriate.
Jesus had compassion on the sick, the helpless, the diseased, the hungry and the distressed.
Even when his solitude was interrupted, Jesus still displayed compassion.
Jesus received the needy that came to him, or were brought by others.
When Jesus saw the needs of the people (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual) he had such a gut-wrenching reaction that he had to respond.

Our mission:
Let us follow Jesus’ example of extending compassion to others. Look for needs to be met; go to people who are needy to investigate how we can help. FEEL the suffering of others IN OUR GUT and RESPOND in some way to give relief. May the Lord enable us to display compassion.

Focus on Compassion for the next week or so and let us see what God can do through us!

His Radiance!

In describing Jesus Christ, the author of the Letter to the Hebrews says:

“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory . . . ” (Hebrews 1:3 TNIV).

What a beautiful way to describe Jesus! Radiance. I let the word settle into my soul.

What is it?
Radiance: the quality of an object emitting light or heat; filled with light and overflowing; bright; glowing; beaming; brilliance; luster;
Radiance: the quality of a person emitting joy, exuberance, euphoria, happiness, delight, pleasure.
Other Bible versions describe Christ’s radiance as;
the “sole expression of God; the Light-being, the out-raying of the divine” (Amplified Bible); “the Son reflects God’s own glory” (NLT).

What does it look like?
Small clues come from the report of three of the apostles who viewed Christ’s radiance when He took them up a mountain (Mark 9:3, Matt 17:2). Different Bible translations describe what they saw:
“His appearance changed from the inside out, right before their eyes. His clothes shimmered, glistening white, whiter than any bleach could make them” (The Message).
“As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance changed so that his face shone like the sun, and his clothing became dazzling white” (NLT).

“And he was transfigured before them and became resplendent with divine brightness. And His garments became glistening, intensely white” (Amplified).

Of course, artists through the ages have painted their vision of this event (Christ's Transfiguration) from their imagination (or divine inspiration). Here is the top part of a 15-foot high panel painted by Raphael in 1517.

What is significant about Christ’s radiance?
Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t be stumbling through the darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life” (John 8:12 NLT). In Matthew 5:14-16, Jesus said to his disciples, “You are the light of the world - like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. Don’t hide your light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”

After reflecting on the word “radiance” and how it might look on Jesus, the question struck me: Since I have Jesus in my heart, how am I shining his radiance out to the world around me? This is the challenge! While the Bible describes many ways to radiate Christ’s character, the Holy Spirit pointed out one passage in particular: Col 3:12-17. Here are the key components of the radiant Christ-like “clothing” we are to wear:

compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiving, peaceful, cooperative, thankful, Bible-focused, and above all, let love be your “basic, all-purpose garment”. Do everything in the Name of Jesus.

I let out a slow whistle as I absorbed this list of ingredients for radiance! Dear God, how can I ever do all these things? (pause . . . listening . . .) That is it! A challenge: focus on one of these virtues at a time over the next few months – then, surely, people will see Christ’s radiance emanating from me, too!

Dear readers, are you up for this challenge too? Follow along as I explore and practice each of these virtues.

Dear Lord, thank you for sharing your radiance with us. Infuse us with your love so that we may wear your character each day as we interact with those around us. May we let your Holy Spirit guide us and mould us into your radiance! Amen.

(the first challenge will be posted soon)