My last post was a tough one to write, but I do believe we are called to pray and do as Hebrews 13 instructs: “Remember those who are suffering as if you were suffering with them.” This, to me, is the definition of compassion. Not pity which does not pray, but
come-passion which feels and prays, and where possible, acts by ‘coming alongside.’
As we enter this Advent season, may we be reminded of what it means to follow a God who announces His presence with the name, עִמָּנוּאֵל ‘Immanu’el,’ God is with us. God does not abandon us as we travel through valleys covered by shadows of death.
Of course, I do understand it is natural to want to retreat from pain. I am no different than you in that regard. But for those of us who claim the name of Christ, He calls us not to a life of ease and comfort, but to one full of the ‘abundance’ of life, and that includes walking alongside those experiencing both the good and the bad. So yes, our reaction to the needy may be to want to avoid them, but we are told to not turn away; we are connected to these people by the love of God. To turn away from them is to deny our best selves, just as the Good Samaritan story reminds us.
When we lay eyes on the hurting, we are to respond. It’s our opportunity and privilege to make the compassion that He feels tangible – to put arms and legs on it.
So for those who read the previous post regarding the nation’s pain here, additional prayer is still needed concerning the blown up fuel tanker as now 93 people have died. 51 people are still being treated in the hospital, and 13 of them are in a serious condition. 13 skin graft operations have been undertaken, but for most, skin grafts are not an option because they have been too badly burnt to obtain healthy skin.
The tragedy occured as fuel was being stolen, and this was aided by local police even. A local leader said people were impelled to steal fuel because they were poor and hungry. This year he said the poverty was worse because of the southern African drought. “People crowded round the tank, because they saw money from the sale of that fuel.”
One young survivor, said he accepted anything he was asked to do “without looking at the risks, because I need the money.”
The end result, though, is more poverty since households have lost breadwinners, and even lost simple items like containers to hold water which were destroyed in the fatal attempt to steal fuel.
And yes, I know this is an uber-long post, but this song by JJ Heller captures everything I said above so well, so for those who don’t take the time to listen to the song (it is worth it…her voice is magnificent) here are the apropos words:
You are a house that’s broken down, you are a house that’s burning.
And everything in me wants to run, but that’s not love.
If you fall, I fall with you.
If you hurt I feel it too.
Even if my heart turns black and blue, I will love you.
I planted seeds down in the ground, not every one is growing.
When I am tempted to give up, I choose love.
If you fall, I fall with you.
If you hurt I feel it too.
Even if my heart turns black and blue, I will love you.
Beauty and light will fight for you.
Goodness will rise, it shines for you.
If you fall, I fall with you.
If you hurt I feel it too.
Even if my heart turns black and blue…
If you fall, I fall with you.
If you hurt I feel it too.
Even if my heart turns black and blue, I will love you… I will love you.
0 Comments