Obviously, I’ve had a lot of changes lately; new house, new job, and on the list goes. As a result I’ve been reflecting on some of the things God has taught me through the places He has taken me. One of which is compassion through spending time with those “crazy teenagers” around the country.
The older I get the younger they seem. At camp I often wonder if I could have been that loud or that silly or that caught up with the cool factor of my life. Surely the speaker to my teenage ears wasn’t sharing the deep truths I am now presenting. If so I would have never passed notes but instead taken a journal full. Oh, the chapter of life called “teenager,” a time no one truly understands (even the teen). My summer has been filled with thousands of them. Loud ones outside my window (even worse outside Greyson’s window), cool ones that give me that sarcastic “another adult trying to connect with me” look, kind encouragers, and “thanks for noticing me” smiles. I must admit it is a challenge some days to speak to this crew. More than once I’ve been on stage about to begin and I thought “I don’t wanna do this.” Or “I’m in my thirties now, what am I doing here?” But thankfully God meets with me a few moments before He meets with them and refreshes my passion for students. The most frequent refresher has been, Matthew 9:36 “When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them…”.
Compassion. Ouch, tough word for me. I would much prefer “When He saw the crowds, He offered three points of how to change where they were headed.” I live in a “get your act together” glance more than a compassionate one. But in our desire to be Christ-like, compassion must be in our eyes before it can be in our steps. All of us WANT to be compassionate. For some (primarily men) it is difficult to muster, while others seem to ooze compassion. Teens often bring a knee jerk of frustration instead of compassion. That is why God has driven that word home to me this summer. Here’s a few things I’ve learned from those crazy teenagers about compassion:
1. My pride hinders His compassion. When I begin to wonder if anyone in the room has a clue but me, pride is the root. I’ve forgotten all of the times someone (including God) has allowed for growth in my life. I’ve forgotten all I have been given, as if I chose America as my place of birth, my family, my gifts, or the tremendous models of the faith I know. I didn’t choose much in this life. It was the sovereign gift of God. Thankful hearts are compassionate hearts.
2. I need to look past the fruit to the root. There are reasons people act as they do. I have no idea of the pain, suffering, trials, or joys in their past. This summer I have been with kids from wonderful Christian homes to a kid this week whose father jumped off a bridge to his death three weeks ago. Guess what. They all have pants that sag, caps pulled low, and ragged shorts. Point being, they look the same and the ones that act the coolest could be hurting the worst. We see the exterior and judge, while the interior withers. See the person as God would and not how you would.
3. Compassion is not an optional thing. True, there are many who it comes easily to. But we have all been called to imitate Jesus, and He was compassionate. He is the resource of compassion.
Here’s the point of application: Next time you see someone that’s a bit frustrating, change gears from your needs to theirs. Think how God sees them, ponder what has brought them to this place. Then with a heart of compassion ask them how you can pray for them. The request will be a tiny window to a hurting soul. I ask, “I’m a Christian and I was wondering if there is anything I can pray for you today?” all the time. Never have I received anything but a request and thank you. Prayerful people are compassionate people. It is scary to be compassionate in thoughts and deed but is Christ-like too. Lord, may we see the crowds in this busy world with the compassion you do.
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