compassion

A couple of short months ago I became aware, God made me aware, of a lack of compassion for others in my life. Not to say that I didn't or don't care about those close to me (although I could do better). But those outside of my circle who were suffering didn't even enter my thoughts.

I can make excuses about the guy sitting on the corner with the cardboard sign like, "He just wants money for a drink" or "Why doesn't he get a job". And for those suffering around the world, "I can't make a difference" or to be quite honest, it just doesn't seem real. They're too far away and the problems and suffering in the 3rd world just don't register with my westernized brain.

I happened to stumble upon a couple of videos on iTunes done by NBC news' Brian Williams . One was about the crisis in Darfur, the other with Bono in Africa. I had seen videos like these before, but they had never quite stirred things within me like this.

God was making it clear that I was ignoring a huge part of my call to walk in a manner worthy of the gospel. I am commanded to consider others better than myself and not look out for my own interests but also the interests of others. In other words Dave, quit being so selfish.

Over the next several days, weeks, or how ever long I do this blog thing, I will share my thoughts as I go on this journey to learn what it means to be compassionate. Hopefully it will start a dialogue and you can help me figure some things out.