As the NFL playoff game ended and the Green Bay Packers celebrated their victory over the Chicago Bears, my daughter Lisa noticed that her little girl, 4-year-old Eliana, was crying. That seemed odd, since neither of Elianas parents particularly cared who won the game.
When Lisa asked Eliana why she was crying, she said, I feel sorry for the Bears. They look so sad.
Can we learn something from a preschooler about compassion? In a world where winning is so important and losers get rejected, forgotten, and maligned, we need this reminder: People need compassion. When we see others struggling with a loss are we willing to shed tears with them, put our arms around them, and offer to help?
A number of Scripture passages challenge us to treat others with compassion. Philippians 2:1-3 tells us to think of others above ourselves, looking out for their interestsnot just ours. First Peter 3:8-12 reminds us that compassion means treating others as brothers, and Colossians 3:12-15 says that mercy, kindness, and humility are marks of those God has redeemed.
Look around you. See anyone going through a difficult loss? Go beyond feeling bad for them. Reach out with compassion and Gods love.
Read: 1 Peter 3:8-12
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive and inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24
Since we are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church. 1 Corinthians 14:12
We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.
“If a mans gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith.
If it is serving, let him serve;
if it is teaching, let him teach;
if it is encouraging, let him encourage;
if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously;
if it is leadership, let him govern diligently;
if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. “
Romans 12:6-8
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Do we know what our gift/talent is ...?
We are to find and know our individual talent. Ask those that know you what it is you are good at being, doing, etc
Ask God in prayer what talent He gave to you?” Wait until He answers. Pray!