Compassion Costs Something

These days, with social media and technology, it’s easy to confuse number of connections with depth of relationship. We settle for social gatherings full of small talk, consistent interactions on Facebook, and quick work conversations to fill us up. But settling for these kinds of relationships over deep relationships is like eating a bag of chips when you’re hungry for a meal. The chips may curb your hunger for the moment, but you will be hungry again.  Yet, we settle for these kinds of superficial relationships over and over again and wonder why we feel so lonely. Anxiety and depression are at an all time high in teens and young adults. We have to wonder if the width of connection may be replacing depth of connection and how that replacement is affecting our mental and spiritual health. We were made for the kind of connection that the Trinity models for us. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are in perfect unity. They are committed to one another and in perfect community with one another. If we were made in the image of the Trinity, we were made to reflect this kind of beautiful community with one another. This doesn’t mean that we have to invest in every single person in our lives. Even Jesus didn’t invest in more than twelve people. He had relationships with more than twelve, but he gave himself to the twelve and heavily invested in three within that twelve. Jesus modeled for us the impact of unyielding commitment to a few friends. Jesus revealed parts of himself to these three that he didn’t to the rest, like in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-37) and on a mountaintop during his transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-2). If we want committed relationships in our lives, it starts with looking to Jesus and following his example with others in our lives. Reflection/Discussion Question: How does thinking about the community within the Trinity help you think differently about your own community?

We often forget to pray for others, but when we do, we often resort to shallow prayers: “I pray they have a good day.” “I pray for health.” “I pray for safety.” “I pray for happiness.” “I pray for success.” But when Jesus prayed for us, he prayed boldly for unity. He prayed that we would reflect the glory of God to the world. He was more concerned with what impacts eternity than what impacts the finite. This is why, in the most difficult seasons, Jesus models a heart of prayer for others. He doesn’t just show us the importance of praying for one another in times of difficultly, he shows us how to pray for them. Jesus prayed bold, God-centered prayers for his disciples and his followers. It’s not that the trivial matters his followers dealt with weren’t worth praying for, it’s that Jesus knew that his bold prayers would encompass all of the trivial matters. As he prayed for unity, he knew that this would affect their finances, health, physical needs, and relationships with one another. He knew that the believers would share their possessions and give to each other when they were in need. He knew that they would come together to take care of each other and build strong relationships with one another. Ultimately, he knew that the unity of believers would reflect the love of God to all people—and this was the most important thing to pray. Jesus knew that life wasn’t about health, happiness, and worldly success. He was and is more concerned with our eternity than worldly matters. We will reveal what we believe to be most important by our prayers for other people.  Reflection/Discussion Question: How and when do you pray for others?

My son is suffering emotionally, mentally and physically. The emotional and mental issues he’s informed me have been going on since middle school. The physical part has been going on several months now; with blood work, MRI’s, muscle and nerve test and still no answers. He has said he would rather be dead than not know with the mental challenges he’s dealing with. Anxiety. Panic attacks and stress. Missing weeks of work and some days he has to leave. His employer has been very gracious, definitely a gift from God. Our relationship has totally changed. I was able to baptize him two weeks ago and my daughter was baptized at the same time by her husband. A beautiful gift; God is answering prayers. I have been able to come and stay with him several days a week. Cook. Clean. Do his laundry. We Have had great conversations. We have watched many sermons together and we are attending worship as a family. I live two hours away so Being able to come and stay with him has been the and. I’m so Thankful my Father makes a way and provides. Father may your will be done.

My neighbor was having a hard time adjusting to health issues with her father. I told her that I loved her and wanted to make her family homemade chicken noodle soup.