The Voice of Compassion

"“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." — John 13:34.

There are a lot of complicated ideas to study in Christianity, but when it comes to how we're to convey our faith to the world, it's pretty simple. And it's also really difficult. The verse above is inspiring in that it paints a picture of what the world could and should be. It's challenging because it can be hard to put into practice.

Of course, that compassion begins in our own back yard. One of the things that I have often found frustrating and sad is what the typical American idea of missions is. Missions is helping spread the Gospel through acts of love for those in need.

However, most frequently, when people think of missions they think of going to some far reaching climb. Some place in Africa or Asia. But you know what, according to recent surveys from the Pew Forum, Christianity is spreading incredible fast in Africa and Asia. However, it's on the decline in the United States and Europe. There are now more Christians in the Southern Hemisphere than in the Northern Hemisphere. Think on that for a moment.

When I think about the lost or broken, the first thing that comes to mind is the way that we, as a society, have created one of the greatest disparities in wealth in human history. Though this is the richest country in the world, we have millions living in abject poverty. They face trials, challenges, and a lack of hope. And it's that lack of hope and compassion that turns people away from God, whose message is hope and compassion. We, as believers, are to model that message to the world. If that's the case, as Christians, we're failing our own country.

That's what makes projects like the one in Oak Park so vital. Not only did those who participated help those in need, modeling God's spirit of compassion, they made our community a better place.

The question for us all is how we can go and do likewise.