"moved with compassion"...

I am sure that like many of us, this past week, we have seen endless images of the devastation and carnage from the so called "storm of the century"...Sandy. As you might expect, especially if you know me to any small degree, I have many very different and conflicting thoughts and observations about what I am seeing and feeling. What we, away from the scene, are experiencing is well controlled by those documenting this tragedy whether it be the traditional media or the non-traditional reporters on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. The traditional media is designed to tell...and sell... a story which is designed to elicit a specific emotional response in us. They are, in effect, telling a story with a certain perspective in mind and each is different. Nothing is neutral is any aspect of what they report. On the other hand, the social media reporting is, quite often, raw, spontaneous and minimally edited. We are getting a very different look at what is important and impactful...to that person. As I sit and passively watch, in the comfort of my home...the safety of my surroundings... what I am seeing feels surreal to a large degree. The sheer magnitude and scope of what has, in a matter of hours, been destroyed and lost forever is overpowering. The thing I wrestle with is  “ how should I respond ?” or even should I respond at all. There are many times in the four Gospel where we read the statement, "And Jesus was moved with compassion." That essentially means to enter into another’s suffering and to respond in an unsolicited act of mercy. In every single instance of compassion that Jesus experienced...specific action followed. He felt this compassion very deeply and immediately. He felt a great sense of urgency. He desired that something to be done...some action be taken, and so immediately, he responds. One of the things of significant note here is to realize how Jesus always responds without judging. These are people in dire and sometimes life threatening need. He doesn't hesitate or pause to judge them. Are they irresponsible? Is it their fault? No finger pointing or playing the “blame game” here. Why don't they do something for themselves? No, his heart immediately feels the pain, the suffering, the loss and the brokenness. He's feeling with them, suffering with them. That's called empathy...not sympathy...there is a big difference. Sympathy is knowing and lives in your head and empathy is sharing and comes from the heart. Empathy is a critical factor in developing community. The difference is what Jesus always did...He entered in and became present and then responded. It's personal and relational. It means to come along beside and walk in someones' shoes. More and more, we need to cultivate that spirit of compassion and empathy so that immediately, our heart goes out to those in need wherever they may be and in whatever situation is involved...and immediately we act. We need that same deep, heartfelt, gut wrenching spirit of compassion that forces us to move out of our comfort and safety of isolation. Then we have to do something about it. We are required to do something. I heard someone say recently we cannot pretend that once shown a problem that we cannot do something... one single thing...about it. Trust me, everyone can do something. If nothing else is workable for you, you can always pray. In James 5:16 it says, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much”. I can assure that's what many of us are doing right now.