Compassion

Only seven of the eight remaining dancers performed on So You Think You Can Dance. (Yes, I watch it...regularly, and yes, I love it! I could give the excuse that it's a bonding experience for me and my daughter, but I'm owning my enjoyment!) Ashleigh hurt her arm the morning of the performance, and the doctors wouldn't clear her to perform. Her partner had to dance with stand-ins. But people can still vote for Ashleigh, and if she gets enough votes, she advances to the finals. What do you think of someone getting to advance without actually performing?

How do you respond when someone gets a promotion when you think you've worked harder? Or someone keeps her job when you get laid off?

What about when someone gets a scholarship over you, and you're certain she has more money than you?

How do you respond anytime a person gets something you perceive to be undeserved?

I have to admit my initial response is sometimes an internal, perhaps even audible, cry of injustice. I want someone to perform for reward. I don't want to take up the slack of someone's unwillingness to fulfill their work responsibilities and not receive compensation for it. I don't want to sacrifically give of my time and energy and continue to be asked to do more. I don't want to see someone ask for support when she's unable to perform.

It hit me when I read similar comments on a blog this afternoon, all commenting on whether or not Ashleigh should be able to continue. I'm a hypocrite. My internal, and sometimes audible, cry of injustice is in direct opposition to the basis of my faith.

Compassion is the "sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it." (merriamwebster.com) No judgment on whether or not the distress is justifiable. No comparison to our own distress. And a willingness to act.

Take a look around. At work. In your home. At school. In restaurants. In Church. While shopping. God brings people into your life and asks you to have a sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it. Act on it despite your internal or audible cry of injustice. God did it for you.

We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person? Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. - 1 John 3: 16-18 (NLT)