CLOTHED IN COMPASSION
In his letter to the church in Colosse the Apostle Paul speaks to them about their new identity in Christ. This new identity should be evidenced by a compassionate heart. I find it interesting that he said to "Put on … compassionate hearts." To put something on usually refers to something you wear, like clothing, jewelry or shoes.
So what does putting on compassion look like?
Webster's dictionary defines compassion as "sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it." Simply put it is the readiness of seeing someone in need and getting involved to do something about it. There are distresses and issues of every kind all around us that we would have to be living in a bubble to not be aware of the things that people are facing. But are we moved enough to act?
Some of us find it easy to throw a few dollars towards a cause such as homelessness and food insecurity but are we willing to get involved if our neighbour needs assistance preparing a meal or getting groceries? Or are we able to look past the anger and see the person who maybe struggling with sin? It is harder to see beyond the offense and be moved with compassion for the need of salvation for the offender, but that is what putting on compassion looks like. Intentionally asking the Holy Spirit to open our eyes to the needs of others so that we are mobilized to get involved, even knowing that we may get hurt in the process.
Lord we recognize our need to become more and more like you. Open our eyes to see as you see and mobilize us to reflect your radiance.
Diffuse your compassion from your Spirit to our spirit that the clothing of compassion can be evident in us. Amen
by Hope Folkes-Lewis
