悠悠桃源 Isaiah 55:12 "For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands." ｛如欲轉載，請註明出處，thax｝

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3/5/09

 

Compassion: n. Deep awareness of the suffering of another coupled with the wish to relieve it. See synonyms at Pity. (source: The American Heritage, Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Ed.)

 

“Do you feel a sense of compassion or a lack of compassion?” Troy started the study with a question. I used to feel a sense of compassion because I was, most of the time (I think…), able to listen to others’ stories and to some degree sympathized with their struggles, regardless the fact that it occurred to me in the past or not. Last night, while John said his personal experiences usually helped him to feel the suffering with others, it struck me that, on the contrary, my experiences sometimes made me more judgmental or harsh.

 

“If I can get through it, so can you! Whining is not helping! So, quit whining! Suck it up and toughen up!” Though I did not recall put these words into my mouth, I definitely carried such thoughts in my mind while some friends complained or simply shared his or her sorrows and/or struggles. But why? Why did I sometimes feel that way?

 

Most of the time, I could side with the ones who were going through the dark valleys, but when I was in a bad mood, or spiritually weak, or even just physically exhausted, my compassion turned into anger and bitterness. It partially was because I did not want to focus on the uncontrollable points. “Whatever happened in the past was in the past already. Let it go. Live up to the present moment.”- this was my living philosophy. The whining I upset me! As I tried to remind myself, “If you are not happy, do something to change it! Don’t just babbling words. Complaints only enriched the dark side of you!” listening to repeated resentment sometimes inevitably reminded me of my own whining. In short, I was not really listening, but reflecting myself. It was not love that motivated me to listen or to care or to understand, but my self-centeredness.

 

Perhaps, the even more important reason why I became judgmental or harsh was due to my arrogance. It was not “I” who got through the difficulties, but God! Who was I to boast on my own saying, “I can get over it, so can you!” It was never me. God used me to demonstrate God’s mercy and grace. Who granted reward for industrious workers? Among human beings, self-interest or competition or whatever excuses sometimes masked justice of God. No guarantee on the return of diligence or obedience. Most of the time, we were betting. But God had mercy. God’s grace was always enough. God loved the people. That was the unseen bottom line to my eyes.

 

To share from the bottom of your heart – this was my take-away points last night. Thanks to God. May God’s love motivate me to be more sincerely compassionate, for “everything I am for your kingdom’s cause.”

 

 

 

Hosanna by Hillsong United + Brooke Fraser

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1764I6JOmLI

[Note: the definition of “hosanna”: n. 1) A cry of “hosanna;” 2) A shout of fervent and worshipful praise.  (source: The American Heritage, Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Ed.)]

 

I see the king of glory
Coming down the clouds with fire
The whole earth shakes X 2
I see his love and mercy
Washing over all our sin
The people sing X 2

[Chorus:]
Hosanna X 2
Hosanna in the highest

I see a generation
Rising up to take the place
With selfless faith X 2
I see a new revival
Staring as we pray and seek
We're on our knees X 2

[Chorus]

Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like you have loved me
Break my heart for what breaks yours
Everything I am for your kingdom's cause
As I walk from earth into eternity

[Chorus]