Bringing Love and Compassion Into The World

How do we do this?

I think it can be done on several different levels.

When someone is suffering or has been treated badly we can easily be compassionate, loving, and accepting towards that person. Where the challenge comes in is having even the tiniest bit of any of these for someone who as inflicted pain, injury, and abuse upon another human being.

I don't believe God calls us to just be compassionate towards those who are loveable and deserving of our love, acceptance and compassion. That's too easy.

Where I find it very difficult is to find a spark within me to offer in behalf of another human being when he or she has not one loveable, likeable or acceptable bone in their body that anyone can find.

But...it has been brought more and more increasingly to my attention that this is when it is required the most. This is how we bring more love and compassion into the world. It is not by hating these people but by our loving compassion that replaces somehow the "wrong" that has been done. This does not mean that a person should be exempt from the consequences of his or her choices. I firmly believe there are consequences to be paid but how we react to this person is what I am talking about. Though we may not be able to “love” them we can learn to understand that in their “ignorance” and lack they are not capable of doing differently. I remember Jesus’ words when he was being arrested and eventually hung on the cross. He basically said that these people would have no power to do that unless it had been given to them by the Father. I’m not sure any of us can understand exactly what Jesus meant but it does say to me that there are things I may never understand but have to accept on faith.

So is it possible to behold a person who would normally provoke disgust in us and be able to not feel continuous anger and hatred towards him or her? I think it is but one never knows until the test comes up. And how does one prepare one's self to be able to let go of the anger or hatred? How many would even want to go through the trouble to do that?

I think the answer lies within each of us.

I think some of us may be called to do that task upon this earth during our life time and others are not.

Or perhaps we are ALL called to it but not everyone will hear or answer that call.

Some of us have to be willing to let go and not be angry or have hatred or revenge in our hearts for those who commit heinous crimes against others.

There has to be some "cleansing" outlets or this earth would explode or implode from all of that negative energy.

Now, this is just my own thoughts this morning. No one has to agree or understand. But it is something to think about.

Some of you may at some point wonder about this or feel a call to stretch yourself spiritually in this direction. Or you may have a different call.

We all have some things to do while we have breath in our bodies. What we are called to do is immaterial. That we do them is important.

What's your calling? I know mine and it is not easy but it is nevertheless one I cannot refuse.