struggles
Today we continue our series on reclaiming core values essential to our faith, inspired by Craig Grosechel’s book, #Struggles.  Find out more by clicking here.

The value this week is compassion, which means sympathetic concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others. Why is compassion threatened in 2016?  Because we live in a selfie-centered world. Because a study by the University of Michigan shows that young adults, 18-24, over the last 30 years (from 1979 to 2009) have 40% less empathy.

We can be tempted to become more obsessed with ourselves in a culture that focuses on ‘our’ social media sites and selfies.  Selfish behavior is the enemy of compassion. Now, does this mean we toss out all of our social media or YouTube channels?  No, but we MUST get control of the technology in our lives without allowing it to control us and desensitize us to the legitimate needs of others.

John 3:30 reminds us that HE must become greater and I must become less. Matthew 16:24 reminds us to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow him.

How do we resurrect compassion in our lives? Or at least keep it as a core value? We have to get outside of ourselves…and follow Christ’s example.  It’s okay to pray, “Lord, help me to focus more on you and less on me.”  I earnestly believe that he’ll answer that prayer. Compassion isn’t easy. Sometimes it’s messy because we’re helping someone who is in a tough situation. But it still remains a critical value of our faith.

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We’re giving away family four-packs of tickets to the Living Word Outdoor Drama in Cambridge, Ohio this summer.  Congratulations to Laura of Mount Vernon who won today. Find out more by clicking here.

Thanks for listening!

-Joe