It’s Sunday! Compassion . . . between Men?
2022-01-09:
Last Sunday morning I walked into church and met my Pastor. I smiled at him and told him, “In the past 12 hours, I’ve been cussed out and maligned with more verbiage that you possibly have ever heard in your life.” I briefly told him a bit of the story and he laughed and said, “Better you than me!” Yes . . . I love my Pastor! :)
Last week, a man in our Water Well Guy’s and Gal’s group behaved very poorly and tried to use Jake Foord for sympathy - or something. We don’t really know what demon’s were driving him. Jake and I were both afraid that the man could possibly self-destruct since he was obviously at a low point in his life and the added pressure of many in our group dumping on him as they pushed back could have tilted him over the edge. I prayed about this throughout the day on Sunday and then messaged the man Sunday evening and said, “I’m really sorry about the blow up on Face Book in the last 24 hours. I need you to know that I don’t hate you, and I’m not angry with you. I just need you to know that you really need to find God and His love in your life. If there is anything I can do to help you in that regard, please let me know.”
The next morning he messaged me and said, “My deal is . . . I’ve been drilling for 30 years . . . I’m 48 years of age . . . I want you all to do well by hook or crook . . . . . and keep your fingers. And btw . . 9 days no power here my friend . .”
Was this man lashing out to some of my goofing around that I sometimes do? Was he trying to demonstrate some misplaced Compassion for me since I have a 42 year old drill rig and he wants me not to get hurt? What difficulties was he experiencing with his electricity being out for nine days? We just don’t know.
Jake Foord, Louisiana, is an amazing young man with wisdom far beyond his years. He and I messaged each other back and forth as we tried to think of how we could use this as an opportunity for us to learn from it and then to share that with you-all. Then Jake suggested, “What say me and you both make a post about him in a little bit more Compassionate light.” He continued, “I don’t have a desire to hate him or even mildly not like him.” I suggested that he write down his thoughts about ‘Compassion . . . between Men’, and I’d explore what scripture says about this topic and we’d tag-team this post this week.
The following is what Jake wrote:
“What is Compassion . . . between Men? We often use the word, Compassion, to reference empathizing with someone and offering support in a low point. This could be anything from having a bad day at work, or helping someone cope with the loss of a loved one.
How often does one think of Compassion as a form of discipline for themselves and others? As men, it is our responsibility to provide a safe, disciplined, and structured society that benefits everyone within it. Strong willed men should have self discipline to maintain socially acceptable behavior as a model for others to follow. This also brings with it the responsibility to call out others who are displaying disruptive, rude, and hostile behavior. Is it not Compassionate for us men as a whole to provide a safe and peaceful environment for those around us? Is it not Compassionate to stop another from performing self destructive behavior?
Compassion can take many forms. It should not be viewed as weakness, but rather a virtue amongst men. Having Compassion for others is what allows a strong man to save a child, puppy, or elderly woman from a burning building. It is what allows men to pull together after a natural disaster to help complete strangers who lost everything.
On a less grand scale, Compassion allows men to lean on each other in our own darker times. It encourages a man to reach out to a friend, or stranger and put a stop to unacceptable behavior. Whether that behavior is self-destructive, or disruptive to others.
We are all flawed and no man or woman will be on their best behavior at all times. Having Compassion for ourselves and others allows us to give and receive both help and disciplinary actions from others. It takes people working together to help promote an environment where we can all be the best person we can be.”
AMEN! My eye’s are leaking. Jake . . . I want to hug you, man.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 sums up God’s point of view about Compassion. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Compassion and the God of all Comfort, who Comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can Comfort those in any trouble with the Comfort we ourselves receive from God.”
It’s not easy to forgive someone going off on us or on those we care for. But through God’s strength we can “Comfort those in any trouble with the Comfort we ourselves receive from God.” I LOVE this promise from Almighty God!
So . . . our industry prayer for this week needs to be, “Dear Heavenly Father, we are choosing to do our best to embrace and obey Colossians 3:12. ’Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with Compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.’ Oh God, please help us to be Your Real Men wrapped up in Real Strength as we beg you for the ability to obey You. Help those of us who have some contact with our driller friend to reach out and demonstrate love to him . . . somehow! Please Lord, help this man! And Lord, what I went through was NOTHING, compared to what Your Son Jesus did as He paid for our sins on the cross. We love you Jesus, because You first loved us. Help us to pass on Your love to those who are not loveable. In Your Name . . . Amen!”
Take 1: Now go and turn to the right . . . and cuss out everyone you don’t like! NOOOOOOO!
Take 2: Now go and turn to the right . . . and don’t say anything but hate them in your heart! NOOOOOOO!
Take 3: Now go and turn to the right . . . and love others as Jesus loves us! YES - YES - YES!
