Have you ever been aware of your compassion meter?
As individuals we decide who we think needs compassion.
Generally, we have compassion on the person or creature we think deserves it.
Surely, this sad little one merits our compassion.
We see the loneliness of the old folks
and feel like they merit our attention and compassion.
Which of us aren't so sorry for that poor, caged dog?
We have compassion because our heart strings have been tugged.
In our minds, we see the injustice.
It's not their fault they are suffering.
Natural disasters are a valid reason
for our compassion.
Then we look at other pictures.
There is a shift from compassion.
We question the validity
of the suffering,
and ask
"why are you asking me for my help?
I'm not sure you really deserve it"
What about the rebellious teen?
Is she just annoying and selfish
or does she merit compassion?
Then there is the person that is bankrupt because they won't live within their means.
They are just getting what they deserve, right?
The drunk is homeless, the rebellious teen is ruining her life and the undisciplined spender goes bankrupt.
It's there own fault.
I wonder if they merit compassion.
Then there is this thing called the law.
It was laid out at the beginning of time
by the Creator of everything.
He has determined what is good and right.
He has created us.
God, the Creator, calls us to live within that law.
The deal is, live within the law or die.
wow.
That is harsh.
Have you been able to live within all the laws?
Do you even know what they all are?
The 10 commandments maybe?
No?
I guess you are dead then. It's only a matter of time.
Here is one law I'm sure you know, you must not lie.
I'm pretty sure you have broken that law.
We are in the position of death.
It's what we deserve.
You either keep all the law or you die.
That's the deal.
Unless .. there is some compassion for us
despite our failures.
We know Jesus, we know He died so we could be made acceptable, merit-able.
My point in writing this is that what if you and I give others the same un-merited compassion that we, ourselves have received?
That would be world changing.
I have been shown my compassion meter lately
and I think it's out of whack.
I think I need to get an adjustment through recognizing my own neediness.
Not because I deserve it but because our Creator is compassionate to even those that don't merit it.
Even to me.
