Countless times I've seen, heard or learned of some type of injustice going on around the world, a need that needs to be met, people or causes that need to be helped. Whether its: feed the children commercials, homeless people on the streets, abortion, human sex trafficking, people needing to vent, a pet dying, financial issues, health issues... (seriously, I could go on forever). You get my point, right? There are a lot of things that go wrong on a daily basis. Can you agree with me that there are certain issues that just really pull on your heart strings? So much so that you're moved... it does something emotionally to you? Maybe its because you can relate... you were at that point before, you know someone that has been there, or you just have a soft spot in your heart for the people or area going through that. There are many different reasons... but regardless... there is a trigger and it has an effect. How often do we actually RESPOND and ACT on this heart string tugging?
sym·pa·thy/ˈsimpəTHē/
Noun:
- Feelings of pity and sorrow for someone else's misfortune.
- Formal expression of such feelings; condolence
In a nutshell... as humans if we see, hear, or learn of something unfortunate happening... we are sympathetic towards them. Correct? But... Do we just leave it at that? Far too many of us... (especially in the Body of Christ) feel that being sympathetic towards somebody is enough. Is it really?
If you were going through a tough time, lets just say that you're mourning; would you prefer for someone to tell you that they feel bad about whats going on with you? Or would you prefer for them to cry with you--to share your burden with you? Let's flip the script a bit... If you were celebrating a great accomplishment... what would you value most? A "good job." or a friend that is excited and celebrates with you? I love how The Message puts it:
If you were going through a tough time, lets just say that you're mourning; would you prefer for someone to tell you that they feel bad about whats going on with you? Or would you prefer for them to cry with you--to share your burden with you? Let's flip the script a bit... If you were celebrating a great accomplishment... what would you value most? A "good job." or a friend that is excited and celebrates with you? I love how The Message puts it:
Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down. Get along with each other; don't be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody.Romans 12:14-16 MSG (Emphasis added)
These verses are not describing sympathy... they are illustrating what it is to be EMPATHETIC.
em·pa·thy
noun \ˈem-pə-thē\1: the imaginative projection of a subjective state into an object so that the object appears to be infused with it2: the action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another of either the past or present without having the feelings, thoughts, and experience fully communicated in an objectively explicit manner; also : the capacity for this
To be empathetic is basically to feel with someone... whereas to be sympathetic is to feel for someone. Sympathy is like the first step towards empathy... but why do we stop there and not take the extra steps to actually experience with whomever or whatever it is that is triggering us to feel??? This is where the Conflict VS Comfort Zone comes in to play...
Have you ever noticed that, most of the time-- The people that put themselves "out there" to help... the people that are always there for you... that go out of their way to help... that are your shoulder to cry on... etc... are the people that have been through a lot? They've lived through the dark times... and have come out survivors!.. they shine the brightness of their light in whatever part of your life that you need them to? How about the people that have nothing really going wrong in their lives... they're... comfortable? How many comfortable people do you see putting themselves out there to help? From personal experience... when I'm comfortable... I don't want to move one bit... because then I will become UN-comfortable. But did you notice how self centered my previous statement was; who does that help?
I actually got this concept from Father of Lights... and I'm paraphrasing,
'...there are 2 zones in the world: a conflict zone and a comfort zone. The church that is in the conflict zone is united... The church that is in the comfort zone, doesn't care.'
Can I get an "AMEN!" over here?! Some of the strongest bonds that I have with people or causes have come from troubling times. Its in these times of turbulence that you discover who and what is true and what matters and you don't let go. Why do you think that most often, people seek and cling most to God during their dark seasons? Jesus has been through it ALL... He knows what we're going through because He experienced it and prevailed... as a human!
Being in the comfort zone is such a dangerous place to be in. You don't do anything. There is not change, no growth--that means that you have NO AFFECT on anybody. You still have feelings and opinions... but what good are those if there is no action coming from them?
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, "Go in peace; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.James 2:14-17 NIV
I've written all of this to say, STEP UP... if you feel these injustices... do something about it! Take that extra step... don't just have an opinion... have an action to back it up! Take a moment to ponder what the world could be like if we each stood up for what is right... is it worth the discomfort? I think so.
May God bless you. I ask in faith right now, that the Holy Spirit stir your heart... that you become uncomfortable and remain uncomfortable until all of the wrongs are righted. I pray that you are filled with strength & boldness that is not your own, but your Heavenly Father's. I declare a revolution in your life that affects many and changes the world! All of this in Jesus' mighty and holy name, Amen.
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| This photo was taken on an ordinary winter day. My grandparents and I were in our front yard when we saw this homeless man limping with no shoes or pants on. He was only wearing long johns. We gave him clothes, shoes, a blanket, food, water, and called the ambulance because he was injured. Did this interrupt our ordinary day? Yes. I wouldn't have it any other way. Go the extra mile, folks. Not so that you look good, but because it's the right thing to do.
Much love,
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