FROM THE DAWGHOUSE…
MEN OF COMPASSION
“I feel compassion for the multitude because they have remained with Me now three days and have nothing to eat; and I do not wish to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.”
Matthew 15:32
The word COMPASSION just leapt off the page at me this morning in my DAWG. It has in the past too…Jesus is a man of compassion.
Compassion: “The deep feeling of sharing the suffering of another, together with the inclination to give aid or support or to show mercy.”
(The American Heritage Dictionary)
Here’s the Maxwell Leadership Bible sidebar on Matthew 15:29-39:
“Problem Solving: The Fastest Way to Gain Leadership”
Jesus deepened His credibility by solving the problem of a hungry crowd:
- He identified the problem and informed His team (v32).
- He instructed them to brainstorm the solution (vv33,34)
- He invited them into the problem-solving process (vv35,36)
- He included them in the solution (vv35-38)
(pp.1158)
Recently at FORGE we talked about Temperaments and our own individual uniqueness, and how it’s important to allow the Holy Spirit to control us with His character in our own temperaments. Some temperaments are more naturally compassionate than others. Some more people oriented than others. Some men are more task oriented.
Whatever our temperament, and our Lord Jesus Christ models the perfect blend of all the temperaments at the right time, in the right situations, we need to emulate Him and become men of compassion. My otter/lion (or expressive/driver) mix often keeps me moving so fast I don’t have time to feel the compassion for others. My past complexity of life makes me an activator (ready, fire, aim). I’m an overcomer and achiever. Compassion can get left out.
Here’s my prayer for me today:
Father, I love how the Lord Jesus models perfect compassion in this situation at the same time as He exercises strong participatory leadership! Oh I need this incredible development in my life. So, Lord make me more sensitive to the needs of others, especially to those in my family and in my sphere of influence. Give me the capacity to feel, literally feel what people will be going through if certain needs are not met. Help me to know what I should step in and try to do to help, or how to mobilize other men to try and correct a difficult situation. Make me more compassionate in every situation I’m in. I’m not the Messiah as Jesus is, but Father help me to have His compassion and Your feelings about the needs of others and my role in helping. May this become normal for me, to feel compassion more often for others! In Jesus’ powerful Name I pray, Amen.
It rings true with me that truly great men, great as God defines greatness, are men who have the compassion of Jesus.
What is your prayer about compassion today?
You take it to heart!
Pete Alwinson
