WEEK ONE: IT’S ABOUT COMPASSION

Have you ever caught yourself saying something like, “What’s the use? My involvement won’t make a difference…” or “what difference can I really make?”

There is a story about a man who was walking along a beach that was littered with thousands of starfish that had been washed up and stranded by the tide. As he was walking along, he observed a little girl who would bend down, pick up one starfish, and put it back in the water. After watching for a while, he approached the girl and asked her why she was putting them back. Trying to help her understand the reality of the situation, he said, “There are so many starfish on this beach. You are not going to be able to make a difference to the situation.” The girl bent down and picked up another starfish, and replied, “I can make a difference for this one.”

So often, we look at a situation and the world around us with all its problems and wish we could do something…but there are so many problems, and they are so difficult that we can feel overwhelmed and helpless to make a difference. We have all been there, and too many times we just simply throw up our hands and do nothing.

The rock band The Eagles have a song titled “Do Something.” The lyrics start off this way: I've been walking through the fields and on the streets of town. Trying to make sense of what you left me. Everything that I believed in has been turned upside down and now it seems the whole wide world's gone crazy. But when I feel like giving up and I'm ready to walk away, in the stillness I can hear a voice inside me say, Do something!  Do something! It's too late for saving face. Don't just stand there taking up space.  Why don't you do something? Do something! It's not over, no it’s never too late.”

What would happen if we took on the mindset of that song or of the little girl in the story? If she had looked at the masses, it would have been overwhelming; but instead, looking at the one, she saw the ability to make a difference.

Every one of us can do something for someone. It doesn’t always make sense. It can be difficult, and you can find yourself in some strange situations, but when we begin to see those around us the way that Jesus sees them, our perspective can begin to shift. In Matthew 9:36 it says that Jesus looked at the people and saw them as sheep without a shepherd, helpless and harassed (NIV) and it moved him with compassion. That compassion led him to make the ultimate sacrifice. When we understand the level of compassion we have received, our sacrifice can seem so small. But then we can offer that same compassion to others even when it seems like it may not make a difference. So whatever it is, do something.