This just in! Scientists have discovered a new particle in the atmosphere which when combined with human DNA creates a series of synaptic responses in the brain resulting in a proclivity towards kindness, generosity, and patience. People who have come under the influence of this ionic particle have been shown to give large sums of money to charity, stop for people in trouble, and even help others at high cost to themselves.
The ion has been shown to cause people to turn their lives around from selfishness and greed to become individuals who spend their whole substance on helping the poor. It seems to create within people an identity of morality, certitude, and purpose. In experiments done with people dubbed “directionless”, the ion has been shown to create a sense of well-being and drive towards bettering the world around them. For this reason scientists have come to call this particle the “compass ion” or more specifically the “moral compass ion”.
The ion has been deemed the cause of extravagant goodness in many of the world’s more altruistic heroes and heroines. Among those thought to have been exposed to the ion in high doses: Mother Theresa, James Elliot, Martin Luther, Francis of Assisi and Jesus of Nazareth.
While scientists have only recently discovered the existence of this ion it was apparently recognized as a quantifiable entity by the ancients. Even the writers of Christian Scripture acknowledged its existence when they wrote of Jesus, “Jesus had compass ion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.” Ma. 20:34 NIV 🙂
Y’know I just had these little thoughts bopping around in my head today and I couldn’t resist being a bit tongue-in-cheek as I continued our discussion from yesterday on being compassionate.
Don’t you wish sometimes that there was an injection you could take or a gas you could inhale which would take away all your selfishness? Wouldn’t it be cool if there was a stem cell which would make the human race become entirely good? How wondrous would it be if we could release a biological agent into the water supply which would make people kind and selflessly perfect?
Let’s face it we all want the easy route. We want God to force changes on us without us having to make any decisions, without having to feel any hardship. But it doesn’t work that way. Jesus will change us. He does want to make us more compassionate. He is constantly at work making us more compassionate. But the change is far from painless. It’s also not without conscious effort on our part. It’s not like tonight your going to go to bed Cruella Deville and wake up tomorrow Lillian Trasher (world-famous missionary to the children of Egypt). Compassion takes prayer, submission, and practice.
Compassion, though, is a requirement for God’s people. Throughout the Scripture God admonishes us to love:
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” I John 4:7,8 NIV
“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Gal. 6:10 NIV
“”But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,” Luke 6:27 NIV
From our study of the prophets we know that one of the things God will judge the nations for is a lack of compassion. And that lack is the normal human condition. Sin freeze dries compassion like so many processed hamburg patties left over after a labor day cook out.
Jesus said “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold” Ma. 24:12 NIV
In these days, if we are going to have compassion in our lives, we are going to have to be like Paul who said, “I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” I Cor. 9:26, 27
I’m with the apostle. If Jesus says I need to be compassionate, then I am going to do what needs to be done to see myself into compassion! When Jesus comes may He find a church full of the compass ion! 🙂
Reinventing the We'll 