By Chuck (Sharing Compassion)
Compassion [kuh
m-pash-uh
synonyms: commiseration, mercy, tenderness, heart, clemency
verb: sympathize, pity
noun: pity, mercy, sympathy, commiseration, ruth, clemency
Compassion is a feeling of pity, sympathy, and understanding for someone who is suffering as well as the desire to alleviate it.
Interestingly enough I never really thought much about the word before. However in 2007 my world changed and the word Compassion has become an active part of my vocabulary as well as my actions. I have always had a heart for children through ministry and education but not to the extent I do now. In that year I had the opportunity to meet the child I sponsor through Compassion International. Those of you that know my story know the life changing moment that was for me. I went from caring to passionate. I saw the love that she had for the simple act that we were doing in sponsoring her and most of all I saw the difference that I was making. Compassion became a verb to me and a ministry.
Compassion as stated above is a feeling of sympathy/understanding for those that are suffering and a DESIRE to alleviate it. Compassion simply put is seeing things as God sees them and then trying to make a difference. In our everyday world we see those that are needy and our hearts should be breaking and our desire to enact a change should be ignited. This goes from seeing those that are ill, abused, hurting, to those that are oppressed, ignored or lacking opportunities. This goes from our own neighborhood to third world countries. It is clearly "being Jesus" to others.
In my ministry with Compassion International we encourage sponsorship of children in order to release them from poverty in Jesus' name. However it is not about sponsoring....rather it is about development. Everything Compassion does is done within the model of child development. We have a feeling of sympathy for these children that have no options but we don't throw money to make the problem go away. Rather we look for a ways and a means to develop that child and to make a difference in their lives. Developing the child raises the bar and allows them to break the cycle of poverty. I have seen the model in action and know it works. Compassion now to me is more than a word but rather a way of life.
[Editor's Note: Be sure to go and read Chuck's many great posts on his experiences with Compassion International and how it has not only changed his life, but also the lives of many other sponsors, advocates, staff members and the many, many children they serve in the name of Christ.]
This post is a participant in a blog carnival over at Bridget Chumbley's One Word at a Time.
Be sure to go and check out what everyone else wrote on: Compassion.
Chuck is a Christian husband and father who has served in part-time ministry for 17 years, and is a deacon at his church. He has been a Compassion International Advocate/Area Coordinator for several years, finding families to sponsor Compassion children throughout the world. His passion is letting others know how important it is to release children from poverty. Be sure to check out his blog, Sharing Compassion.