The Overflowing of Jesus

You may have noticed by now that I think the meanings of words are important. They are the means by which we know how to correctly and accurately verbalize and gauge our behavior in this world around us.

Compassion is a very powerful word. It is "to have sorrow for the sufferings of others; sympathy." What does it mean to "sorrow" exactly? Well, my 1962 copy of Webster's dictionary describes it as "feeling mental pain or uneasiness; to grieve; lament."

Jesus was the epitome of compassion. "But Thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth." Psalm 86:15 There are those moments in life when we have the opportunity to allow Jesus to overflow out of us in compassion to those around us.

I recently was asked to sing at the funeral of my Uncle J.C. on Friday, February 19. My relation to them is not the most common because my uncle is my Dad's brother and my aunt is my Mom's sister, so, his death affected both sides of my family.
I found myself surrounded by family members, some that I had not seen in quite some time, and I was literally overcome with emotion. Not just of seeing my uncle's immediate family grieve his loss but also coming face to face with other members of my family that are going through their own suffering. Two had lost their wives in death just within the past six months; another went through a very hurtful divorce and one continuing to deal with that cruel Parkinson's disease. I also felt joy just because I was surrounded by so many that are my flesh and blood whom I love dearly! I found myself overcome with the powerful emotions of compassion and love toward them all!

As I sang, I made myself look into their faces. In some I saw the deep sense of pain; in others I saw the sweet sense of comfort. The saddest thing I saw was emptiness in the faces of those who have never accepted the Lord Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. My heart was broken. I felt the Lord using this moment to overflow through me with compassion and love as only He can; to speak to each heart through the power of the Holy Spirit. I pray that the Lord will never let me forget that moment!

That moment in time was a reminder to me that I have the opportunity to display compassion and love to those around me each and every day and to allow Jesus to overflow out of me and make a difference in a life.

This is an awesome task and it is not one that we can do in and of ourselves. We are surrounded with families that are hurting here at home and all over the world. Let's not become desensitized! Allow Jesus to overflow!

Are you overflowing Jesus today?

Humbled by the Lord's Compassion and Love,
Robin