Compassion Means Action

“On the next day, when [the good Samaritan] departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’ ”

Luke 10:35

You might be filled with compassion for the hurting in this world. Your heart might break over the fact that you can’t serve everyone in need. But that’s not what God’s called you to do. He’s only asked you to respond to the ones in your path.

When I read the story of the good Samaritan, the Lord convicted me of this truth. And then He had more to say to me: The key difference between the Samaritan and the religious people was that the Samaritan actually stopped. This traveler went to the broken man in need and stooped down to lift him up.

Compassion is only an emotion until you first stop and then you stoop to help. Compassion means action. You go to them.

I wanted to weep because, in my mind, I saw Jesus. He stepped down from heaven to earth, stopped to help bandage our hurts and heal our wounds, and then stooped to bear the cross for us. His compassion translated to world-changing action. God showed me that when compassion turns to loving action, it glorifies Him and helps the people in our path.

Jesus, please help me honor Your ultimate act of sacrificial service by being willing to serve the ones You place before me.