“And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:35-38 (KJV)
Over the last several days, Caribbean nations and the US have been dealing with the stress and strain of the hurricane season. Destruction and devastation have been the result of these storms. Clean-up will be costly and restoration will take time. I sometimes wonder at the cost of emotional and psychological destruction to the displaced families. Some may never recover.
Those untouched by the havoc become curiosity seekers. The news media enhances this curiosity by its intrusive probing into the privacy of these lives. Gaping and gawking, the public wants to get a closer look at the horrors others have experienced. We marvel at the near death escapes. We rage at those who could have left and didn’t. We melt over some sweet, but happy, personal story that may or may not have any semblance of accuracy to it. We cry with those whose lives have forever been changed by the devastation. Then, as if on cue, our lives return to our customary and mundane schedules.
When the realities are expanded in a close up view, we are disappointed. For some unexplained reason, the harsh reality is too horrific or not enough so. We expected something more or something less. Has reality TV so desensitized us from the pain and sorrow? Have we lost the empathy of compassion? How do we look on the world around us? Jesus looked at his world, and he saw aimlessness; he saw weakness; he saw people harassed by the issues of life; he saw hopelessness. But he also saw the answer to their need, the enormous responsibility, and the lack of workers. Then, he trained workers and sent them out into their world. Evidently, he wanted his followers to personally experience the realities and be touched by the infirmities of the people.
Dear Father, thank you for seeing our need and providing help. Enable us to see our world with eyes of compassion. Empower us with faith to minister effectively. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be encouraged today with the compassion of Christ,