Thoughts, on compassion and/or justice (sadly not all my own but amazing none the less). Last night at the Crowder concert (amazing by the way), David said a great quote he had gotten from a friend. He said there was a big difference between compassion and justice. Obviously right?
He made this anology. If you came upon a river and there were drowning people floating down the river from upstream, out of care and love you would naturaly get in the river and help these people wouldnt you? This is compassion. After awhile of doing this however there would come a point when someone would get the idea to go upstream to find the person throwing the people in the river. This seems understandable and altogether obvious doesnt it? This is justice. This is an analogy concerning the social issues in the world.
Aid to Africa is everywhere right now. There are so many oppurtunities and methods of helping this empoverished country. Its great. You can buy t shirts at the Gap and support Africa. Hearing what Dave said really made me think, when is the point we go upstream and find the cause of these problems? Do we continue going on mission trips to Africa, "adopting" children in poverty crushed nations or send our money to build schools for orphans forever? Don't get me wrong I'm as pro-Africa/anti-poverty as the next person. I have a Product RED t shirt from the Gap. My family sponsors a child in Africa. We've sent money. But what is this really doing? Is our money really doing much in the big picture?
It's so very easy to get discouraged when thinking about a problem of this incredible magnitude. It's hard not to think some issues truly are a lost cause.
But, maybe instead of trying to solve the worlds's crisisses, all we are called to do is show compassion to the world, and do what we can. Maybe we should let God deal with whatever is upstream, or be available to let God take you aside and lead you upstream. Someone needs to. In the meantime however I think God is telling me to love all drowning people anyways. Regardless. People are drowning all around us. From Africa, to Brazil, to Guatemala, Mexico, everywhere. Even here in Harford County, Maryland. Especcialy here in Harford Country, Maryland.
Forget what or who is upstream. Love people now. Be Jesus to people now. Here. Downstream. God has a plan. He knows what He's doing. Make of that what you will.
I'll leave you with this verse. One that's familiar to most, and quoted most often. It is so crucial.
Matthew 37-40 (The Message)
"Jesus said, "'Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.' This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: 'Love others as well as you love yourself.' These two commands are pegs; everything in God's Law and the Prophets hangs from them."
Love. Everyone.
Taylor.
