What happened to Compassion?

The other day I saw a picture on the news of a tiny little girl. The picture was featured with an appeal for help in finding her. As I read on, I was horrified to discover that someone would actually have been sexually abusing such a young child. I shook my head in disgust and then went on with my day. Later that night before falling asleep, I began my customary Prayer Time. Selfishly praying for my needs and the needs of my family, occasionally asking for forgiveness for my many shortcomings and feeling pretty good about myself for taking the time to actually pray, but as I lay my head on my pillow, I was consumed with thoughts of the little girl. I hadn't thought to pray for her. Was she still being abused? What kind of life did she have? What about her family? All day long, I had not shown one ounce of Compassion for this child. Why? Why was it so easy to go about my day? What had happened to my compassion? Compassion in both the biblical Greek and the Hebrew means to be "moved in the bowels", it's that feeling in your gut that forces you to act. Something has changed in our World, and I think it has to do with our lack of Compassion. We are bombarded daily with the horrors of life. Earthquakes that kill thousands, hurricanes that destroy entire cities, sunamies and fires, suicide bombings and war. We have become so numb to it all, that when we see a story about one little child, we no longer have the compassion to stop what we are doing, cry out to our heavenly Father and plead for that child. I'm happy that little girl was found and is safe but I must admit she has changed my prayer life. My prayers are for her, her family and even the horrendous people who were a part in allowing this ordeal. I also pray for those who in the name of justice, were required to view the video of her torture. My prayers now always include a prayer for a compassionate heart in myself and our nation.

A great Evangelism Question Answered!

I just read this great post by a new friend of mine and had to share it with you.

Is GOD Allowing EVIL to PERSIST!

Religious or not just take a minute, and read this. I'm not judging or preaching, just pondering. (if you've got a minute read this, if you've got two tell me what you think of it.) God created us all with a choice, to serve Him or to serve ourselves. True evil in our world comes from the later of the two choices. That is truly what we are here to learn. When you follow the first of all the directives that Jesus put forth, IE: When Jesus was asked " Teacher what is the great commandment in the law?" Jesus said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind." "This is the first and great commandment." Matthew 22:36-38. When we follow this commandment we are bound to do God's will. Within that state of mind there is no doubt, all of our fear, and hatred, and self serving nature is defeated. When true evil manifests it is from these that it is born. When you look to any sin you have committed throughout all of your existence you most probably will come back to one of these. Especially fear. When you keep your mind, your heart, and your soul focused on loving God there is no room for evil. I believe that the lesson that we are here to learn is just that; Doing YOUR will creates evil to gain a handhold on your life. Doing God's will serves God and evil is defeated. If God were to remove evil, He would in effect be taking away your choice, your free will. At the very least removing evil would remove any opportunity for us to see the consequences of our actions. In closing I would just like to point out that as men, and women we may never be able to completely ignore our impulse to take control and go our own way, it is very difficult to completely surrender your will to God. Those that have are said to reach sainthood. Those that have not are still loved and cherished by God. That is what grace is, only by the grace of God are we saved. Hopefully we can gain faith in our lives, and accept His will, day by day, a little more. Because I believe that the more we do, the less evil will be with us. If you look at it this way I guess the question would be better served; Why we as the children of God, allow for evil.

F.Michael Sigler

Mike is a new friend of mine with so terrific writing skills, stop by his Blog, http://notwritenow.blogspot.com/

to experience more of his talent.