Compassion

https://odb.org/2023/09/24/compassion-in-action

On Thursday, I don’t know what got into me. I just felt generous. I saw this crippled guy (one leg amputated) at the entrance of the bank, and I have seen him like countless times. He was perhaps similar to the guy crippled from birth that Peter and John must have always seen at the entrance of the temple in Acts 3. I thought that like that guy who was smart to wait at the entrance of the temple, this guy was also smart to wait at the entrance of the bank. So people, after withdrawing cash from the ATM, may perhaps spare him some loose change. That day, the Lord prompted me to give him more than just a few bucks. I gave him RM20 – he could probably have a few meals with that. Then, at night, I had to go to an ATM to activate my Wise card, and I saw a migrant lady selling tidbits, none of which I fancied. Looking at her pleading eyes and just fresh out of a lesson on foreigners, I gave her RM10. She was surprised and wanted to give me some tidbits in return. But I told her it’s OK.

I think these are just small acts of compassion, the amounts being so small to us but perhaps may mean something to the recipients. But exercising compassion must start from somewhere. We start by giving out small amounts before progressing to bigger ones. Ultimately, we can not help everyone, and eradicating hunger and poverty is the job of governments and public policy. But what are we as redeemed children of God when we can’t show compassion to another human being, the crippled and the foreigner?

As Father God was compassionate to us by calling us to be His children through His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, we must likewise exercise compassion in our dealings with others. Sometimes, we may be the ones requiring compassion. It’s give and take in life. Sometimes, we may even require compassion from God. We should take nothing for granted, even God’s love. Being compassionate doesn’t cost us much. Instead, we will be reflecting the glory of God through our lives. Go ahead, make someone’s day!