SCREEEEECCCCHHHH! Put on the brakes here. I am in a position of leadership and I began to relate with another leader who remarked he has no compassion. And it bothered me. How could I represent the One of ALL compassion, if I could easily proclaim I had none? If you know me at all, you know I teach on leadership and my main mantra is: "You can't give what you ain't got!"
Time for some truth seeking. I looked up the gifts of the Spirit in Corinthians and this is what I found:1. Word of Wisdom 2. Word of Knowledge 3. Faith 4. Gifts of Healing 5. Working of Miracles 6. Prophecy 7. Discerning of Spirits 8. Diverse (or different) kinds of Tongues 9. Interpretation of (different) Tongues
I don't see compassion among the list of Spiritual Gifts. Then I realized many leaders take an online test to 'determine their gifts' in the ministry - and the results could very well tell someone they do not have "the gift of compassion". And that could allow them to hide behind the test results (justification) and not have to take ownership of their lack of compassion.
So I prayed about it. Can it be true, compassion is a gift that some people get and others do not? I've come to the conclusion that this is a false truth.
Hospitality - that's a gift some have and some do not. Service, Helps, Ministry...the same thing. But being compassionate, merciful, and forgiving are not gifts, they are character traits we are to develop. If our desire is to be more like Christ - then we must cultivate these qualities. First and foremost by seeking to know Christ and then to emulate Him in all we do, that we may make Him known to others. Am I the leading authority on how to do this - or a great example in daily life? By NO MEANS! If you look to me as the example, you'll be way off track and very disappointed. Don't follow me, follow Him!
It's been said: Admitting you have a problem is the first step toward recovery. I admit it. I have a problem. It's a heart problem. I am not (always)
exhibiting the character traits of Christ.
I am not 100% Christ-like. Not yet. Not any time soon.
But every day I wake up and breathe a breath of God-given air - I know He's not done with me yet. And so I endeavor to know Him, that I may become more like Him. That I may be more merciful, more forgiving and yes, more compassionate toward others. And in so doing, shine His light among the nations.
"You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden."
Matthew 5:14
Do everything quickly and cheerfully
without bickering or second guessing.
Go out into the world uncorrupted,
a breath of fresh air in this squalid & polluted society.
Go out into the world uncorrupted,
a breath of fresh air in this squalid & polluted society.
Provide people a glimpse of good living and of the living God.
Carry the light-giving Message into the night so I'll have
good cause to be proud of you on the day the Christ returns.
You'll be living proof that I didn't go to all this work for nothing.
Philippians 2:14-16 MSGish
