“And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.”  Mark 6:34

A general definition of compassion is sympathy and concern for the sufferings of others and a desire to alleviate such suffering. All throughout the Bible Jesus is known for showing compassion. You will notice that in all these teachings, we find some things in common.

• Jesus notices the people around him
• Jesus responds to the people

If we stay absorbed in our own feelings, problems, and desires we will overlook the needs of those God puts in our path. We should strive to be like Jesus in keeping our eyes and hearts open to others.

Instead of jumping to conclusions and reacting too quickly when someone is showing a need, let’s work to be like Jesus and respond with grace and mercy!

A good exercise I have become familiar with is spending just 5 minutes a day putting myself in someone else’s shoes. This builds empathy and will help you learn to “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep” (Romans 12:15)

Right now, put yourself in the shoes of a young man in India who has just read a Gospel tract left by a missionary who is no longer around. He has just accepted Christ! He is filled with joy and is on fire for God but has no idea what to do next. He worships in his home but wants to worship with other believers. He wants to share the Gospel but is not quite sure how. His heart is burdened!

This happens more often than we realize, all over the world! Not only does our ministry work to win souls by sharing the Gospel, we TRAIN and EQUIP these men and women so that they too can share the Gospel confidently.

On this “Giving Tuesday”, can we put our own needs on the back-burner? Your year-end gift to this ministry will go further than any dollar you will spend on Black Friday, Small Business Saturday or Cyber Monday!

Remember, “Compassion without Action is just Observation”.