Compassion Sunday

I had a great Compassion Sunday last week!  The pastor shared an illustration I will never forget. He said this world is imbalanced, like a pair of scales that are too heavy on one side. Some people have great abundance and prosperity, while others are poor and destitute. We are in the business of moving sand: as we help one child in need, we are moving sand from one side to the other, one pinch at a time. It’s required of us: “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” [NIV SB] As we help to balance the scales, we disburse justice, and mercy and compassion.
As I was walking today and thinking about this, I began to realize that this illustration only takes into account the material side of life. How does the scale look if we consider the spiritual and emotional aspects? I thought of the children, country staff and project workers I met on a recent trip to the Dominican Republic. They have plenty of joy, contentment and faith. They are rich in spiritual blessings, and I realized how much I need their example and influence in my life. We need them as much as they need us. As Wess Stafford has said, without each other, “one dies in need and the other dies in greed.” Ironically, we think of wealth as the heavy side of the scale, but perhaps the greatest weight is growing up in severely poor conditions. Or, conversely, perhaps the weight is growing up in a society such as ours, with no regard for the values that really matter in life. In order to balance the scales, it is imperative that we come together and give what we have to share, whether finances or spiritual insight and lifestyle. I need to give in order to get my perspectives in order, but I also need to receive their simplicity, contentment and joy.
I have sponsored a girl in Thailand for twelve years who has been accepted into the Leadership Development Program. Where would I be without her prayers, words of encouragement, and example of devotion and commitment to the Lord? She has been a beautiful example of perseverance, compassion and sacrifice to me. I thank God for the impact she has made on my life, and in the lives of others, and hope to be present for her graduation.  Together, our lives help to balance the scales for each other, thank God.

~ by Juli Jarvis on April 22, 2008.