“But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with compassion.” Luke 10:33
We live in a big world with big problems. But we serve a big God who has given us big hearts, big visions, and big resources. Indeed, it’s complicated to address sustainable, positive change in the world. But it starts with our wanting to be changed and wanting to change things – it starts with our being deeply moved, touched, and stirred from within.
Years ago when I was a Youth Minister, I took a select group of 12 students to New York City. They called themselves “Youth for Justice.” The plan was, first of all, to increase our compassion, to “have our hearts broken by the things that break the heart of God.” We knew that would be the motivation that mattered. The various versions of the story of the Good Samaritan describe what happened within the Samaritan as he saw the man in need: “he was moved with pity;” “he felt deeply sorry for him;” and “his heart went out to the man.” That’s where all good works, ministry, and mission begin – deeply within – as we are moved and motivated.
My students felt it. I could see it in their eyes. Mission accomplished. They were willing to give the gloves off their hands and the shirts off their backs and the cash in their wallets to any homeless person in need. They were willing to spend long, chilly days working hard in a Habitat for Humanity Project on the Lower Eastside. Then things got complicated, interesting, frustrating, and transformative.
My friend Jeff Krehbiel, now Senior Pastor of Church of the Pilgrims in Washington D.C., told our young, impressionable group that now it was time for them to start asking the hard questions, such as “Why are there so many people lying by the side of the road, so desperately in need in our world?” Not an easy question with simple answers. But to ask such questions is to go deeper, to begin to explore all kinds of issues related to systemic justice and sustainable change. On our trip we merely skimmed the surface. But it has forever changed the way we think about making a difference.
When you read this article, I’ll be headed to Africa on a similar journey. I’ll be on an Episcopal Relief and Development Pilgrimage in Ghana and then on to a personal pilgrimage in South Africa. I’m going to Africa because, deep within my heart, I have felt moved to learn, act, explore, participate, and do what I can to make the world a better place, in the name of our Loving God. But beyond my motivation comes the hard part, the deeper questions. How does ERD work with the people of a place, in partnership, to alleviate hunger and increase the food supply, to promote health and fight disease, to create economic opportunities and strengthen local communities, and to respond to disasters and help rebuild? I read nine books in preparation for my adventure, and I know I merely skimmed the surface. But I want to learn more, to share what I learn, and to make a deeper, more profound difference in the world.
I know it’s complicated. But sustainable change can happen. And it still starts with compassion.
