A Heart of Compassion – by Mary Pinckney

“Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.”  Matthew 14:14 (NLT)

How do you keep doing for others in the midst of chaos in your own life?

Jesus withdrew to be alone after hearing that his cousin, John the Baptist, was beheaded. But when he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them. Compassion is defined as a desire to help someone who is sick, hungry, or hurting. Jesus wanted to ensure that the crowd had what they needed even at a time when he was in need and the disciples wanted to send the crowd away.

Jesus, knowing the needs of the people, did not turn them aside. He laid his own need aside to ensure the people were taken care of. After doing so, he continued to a place of solitude to pray. By making time to withdraw and pray, he stayed connected to his source and ensured that he would continue doing the will of the Father. This gave him the power, the grace, the instructions, and the wisdom to complete his assignment on earth.

God is asking us to serve others with a heart of compassion just as Jesus did, but at times our own selfish ambitions get in the way. Often, we are so fixated on our own needs or our own insecurities that we miss valuable opportunities right before us. The key to helping to meet the needs of others is first recognizing that God is always our source. When we come to him admitting our insufficiency, he takes what we have and multiplies it.

Lord, I come to you today asking that you fill me with a heart of compassion and love for others. I ask that you minister through me today to those who are in need of your love and grace. I desire to love as Jesus loves. Most of all, I desire to please you in all that I do. In Jesus’ name, amen.

By Mary Pinckney
Used by Permission
From: https://findingtruthwithin.com/

FURTHER READING

• Put On a Heart of Compassion – by Charles Stanley

• Compassion-ate – God’s Compass and God’s compassion

• Just Being Nice – Thoughts about God by Doug Lim