{"id":27424,"date":"2021-02-10T10:47:30","date_gmt":"2021-02-10T15:47:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/?p=27424"},"modified":"2021-02-12T14:20:47","modified_gmt":"2021-02-12T19:20:47","slug":"worship-wednesday-on-compassion-lead-me-to-the-cross-brooke-fraser-ligertwood","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/?p=27424","title":{"rendered":"Worship Wednesday – On Compassion – Lead Me to the Cross – Brooke Fraser Ligertwood"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Photo Credit: Music Notes World<\/a><\/p>\n

When he saw the crowds, He had compassion for them<\/strong>, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to his disciples, \u201cThe harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray<\/strong> earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.\u201d\u00a0 <\/span>– Matthew 9:36-38<\/a><\/p>\n

Then Jesus said to his disciples, \u201cIf any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me<\/strong>.”<\/em> – Matthew 16:24<\/a><\/p>\n

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.\u00a0<\/strong>By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.\u201d<\/em>
\n<\/span>Jesus, the night before He gave His life for us – John 13:34-35<\/a><\/p>\n

Did you ever ask your child or grandchild, “Do you know how much I love you?” Then you stretched out both arms as far as you could reach, and, with stretch in your voice, exclaimed, “This much!!!!”<\/p>\n

That’s the kind of love we experience from Jesus, and that’s the kind of love He calls from us for others.\"\"<\/a>Photo Credit: Your Quote<\/a><\/p>\n

After reading One Perfect Word<\/em><\/a>, I prayerfully chose a word to saturate myself in and explore the breadth of it…across this year. The word is compassion. You can find the beginning of this journey here<\/a>. A good friend, also a writer, emailed me last night, having read that blog on my taking on the word, and life of compassion. He asked for action steps toward the goal of being more compassionate – how does one get there?<\/p>\n

I don’t have the steps…except for this: the journey to compassion starts at the foot of the cross. Throughout Jesus’ earthly life, He pointed His followers to the Father and to one another, a widening circle of “one anothers<\/em>” which would encompass the whole world. We are staggered by such a calling. Yet, if we remember His word, He has already given us all we need for a Godly life<\/a>, and He has promised always to be with us<\/a>. Always.<\/p>\n

What are the steps to a compassionate life? Maybe in a few weeks or months into this year, I might have a different answer to that question. For now, it is small and, at the same time, tall. Love God and love others. Not on my terms…but His. Whew! I am not sure exactly how to make that work, given the conviction that I was a compassionate person, and yet now I think not so much. It has been a fantasy of mine…but in real life terms, in the will or heart…not on the daily.<\/p>\n

With COVID and few routine outlets as a person at risk and retired, I can easily pull a blanket over my life…and feel almost justified in it. How about you? Has this been a struggle?<\/p>\n

Praise God, I’ve wakened out of that dull slumber, with compassion lying dormant. Where this “wokeness” leads me, only God knows. He, in His kindness and mercy, will shake us out of our sleepiness; then we see where He takes us.<\/p>\n

I don’t have the steps of my own making, but He has already given us a few to start just in the Scripture above.<\/p>\n