Compassion

When a baby is born, everything is all about him or her. The baby cries when it wants any kind of attention. A baby doesn't care if it is the middle of the night or Mother is trying to take a bath or Daddy is on the phone. Baby doesn't think of anyone but itself and what it wants and needs. It is totally self--centered.

It takes about twenty years to civilize a newborn human, to teach it to obey laws and have nice manners and be friendly and peaceful toward others--to get along with its fellow man. But one attribute above all others is pleasing to God, and that is a caring heart, sympathy for those who suffer, a willingness to help others in their difficulties, a true concern for the wants and needs of other people, a selfless outlook.

Hebrews 11:6 tells us that without faith we cannot please God.

The thirteenth chapter of I Corinthians ends by saying that love is even greater and more important than faith in God's sight. John writes in I John 3:11, "This is the message you heard from the beginning: we should love one another." Philippians 2:4 says, "Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." And Ephesians 4:32 adds, "Be kind and compassionate to one another." I Thessalonians 5:11a reminds us, "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up."

This attitude of caring and compassion is more easily caught from someone who models it daily than, taught by instruction. As a matter of fact, kindness is a fruit of the Spirit, a by-product of walking under the control of God's Holy Spirit and loving others with the love that God has placed in our hearts, with that same wonderful love with which He loves us.

Father, thank You so much for Your love for me. May I be a conduit of Your love to all I meet. Amen.