In the mid 70’s, Ruth took our two children to a local drug store to pick up a few items. As she was patiently waiting in line to pay and go home, an aura came over her and she fainted, slowly sliding to the floor. We don’t know what our children did, but assume they were quite concerned. Karen, our older. may have found a pay phone (a what?) to call me at home.
Ruth was out only for a short time. When she woke, she noticed one of our neighbors stepping over her to get to the check-out lane. Nary a word was said, not even a notice, other than she was an obstruction to be surmounted. Surprisingly, we don’t remember anyone else doing anything.
CREATED FOR LOVE
Long ago and far away, we were created by God. Created in His image, perfect and full of love. One facet of love is compassion: sympathy, empathy, basically caring about and for people. But we were also created with free will, with temptation and….an apple.
That apple tarnished (destroyed) our perfection. Without a sinless sacrifice to cover our imperfections (sins), we would not live forever in His heavenly home. But God loves us with an unconditional love; so, in compassion, He gave His son as that perfect sacrifice for us (John 3:16). All we need to do is believe and embrace that sacrificial gift.
THE LOST COMPASSION GENE
Easy, right? Wrong. Many turn away. We “step over people”, as our neighbor stepped over Ruth. We have lost the love & compassion gene originally given to Adam and Eve, before the Fall.
THE CHALLENGE OF COMPASSION
Being compassionate is challenging. As least that’s what the Apostle James thought when he wrote: “If a brother or sister is without clothing and is in need of daily food, and one of you says ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ and yet do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?” (James 2:15-16)
In Ruth’s case, we don’t know whether people were distracted, didn’t want to butt in, were just embarrassed or what, but this example shows that sometimes, for whatever reason, our compassion gene does not kick in.
ACTION MODE
So my question to you and me: What do you do when someone is hurt, in need or just down in the dumps? Get in action mode: send a card, make a phone call, give a hug, offer some help. “…Put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (Colossians 3:12b). Discover the love & compassion gene originally given to Adam and Eve, before the Fall. Never step over anyone again.