Day 12: Compassion in Action

Scripture: Colossians 3:12 - "Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."

Reflection: True compassion moves us to action.

Application: Act on a need you see today, showing compassion in a tangible way.

Prayer: Lord, fill me with compassion that leads to action. Amen.

So, let's talk about loving the 'unlovable'. You know, those folks who don't exactly make it easy to whip out the love meter. Maybe it's that neighbor who's always cranky, or perhaps a co-worker who seems to thrive on making your life difficult. It’s in these tough nuts that the rubber of our godly love really hits the road. And if you think about it, isn't this what the parable of the Good Samaritan is all about? It’s a story that smashes the boundaries of whom to love and how to love them.

Picture this: A man is left beaten on the side of a road. Along come a priest and a Levite, religious folks who you’d think would be first in line to help. But nope, they pass by. Then a Samaritan, a guy from a group disliked by Jews, stops. Not only does he help—he goes all out. He bandages the wounds, transports the man to an inn, and covers his expenses. Now, if that’s not breaking the love barrier, I don’t know what is. This Samaritan chap shows us that love doesn’t stop where comfort zones end. It teaches us that real love crosses all sorts of lines—social, ethnic, you name it.

Let's get into the nitty-gritty of what it means to really act on compassion. It's one thing to feel sorry for someone; it's another to get down into the dirt and do something about it. True compassion is love with work boots on. It sees a need and moves to meet it, not because it’s convenient, but because it’s needed. For instance, think about when disaster strikes—a flood, a fire, or some personal tragedy. These are the times when a simple act of showing up and lending a hand speaks volumes. It’s about making your comfort second to someone else’s crisis. It’s not merely about giving from your excess but giving from your essence.