Compassion. It’s a word I’ve been using lately. Misusing actually. I’ve been using it as a straight substitution for sympathy and empathy. A passive but heartfelt, “Oh, no I’m so sorry” attitude. I saw the word in writing last week, when it hit me.

Com [Passion]

PASSION is such a big part of that word. And passion is not a concept that you’d describe as being passive. It’s active and deep and positively aggressive. I’m seeing compassion in such a different way. Compassion requires you to empty yourself in order to fix the problem at hand. Not just feel bad about it or say that you can relate.

In this world, we are trained to have no compassion. To guard and protect our hearts. To look out for number one. When I was living in a big city, my co-workers and friends taught me how to march right through the homeless. It was an acquired skill. You never stop or even slow down. You definitely never, ever make eye contact. Don’t say “Sorry, not today.” Act as if they are not there. Just focus on the street ahead and walk with purpose. How horrible is that!

But that’s how a lot of us approach any conflict or pain that doesn’t squarely affect and involve us. We try to march through it. Pretend it’s not there as we power through. After all, we have our own stuff to deal with, so we can’t really spare what it would take to make an investment anyway. And it’s always so messy, uncomfortable and inconvenient to really go there.

So, we don’t proactively look for it.  Sometimes, we work around it and ignore its very presence, even when it is standing there tattered and torn reaching out to us, asking loudly for help.

On a recent trip to DC, I was compelled to shake off everything they taught me in the big city. On a stroll from the office to my hotel, I probably encountered 20 homeless people. I slowed down and talked to every one of them. I gave money while it lasted, although I didn’t have much cash. I told the others I was sorry that I couldn’t help today. It was a small way for me to commit to myself that I would start looking for others who might be hurting. Not in a, “So sorry to hear it” kind of way. But in a genuine, “I want to help you if I can” sort of way.

I just realized what I’m trying to practice is com[passion]. I definitely don’t have it mastered. I have lots of previous training to undo. But I’m quickly understanding from God that the fastest way to heal myself is to devote myself to helping heal others whenever possible. So, that’s what I’m trying to do. And likely what my next professional endeavor is about at some level. Still looking for clarity on that front!