STAYING MOVED
Summer is the time of year we most relate to relaxation. We often get outside more, take some time off work, and spend time with family. However, the lull of the summer can also breed complacency. That’s why, this week at Resonate, Associate Pastor Andy Burt took the stage to keep us challenged through the heat of July with a timely message titled, “Staying Moved.”
The title of this message is inspired by Mark 1:40-42, where Jesus heals a man with leprosy. Upon seeing this man, the Bible says Jesus was moved with compassion. But so often when we read this story, we see ourselves purely as the leper.
If you’ve read the Bible much, you know that it can be very descriptive with names. You know what I mean – So-and-so, son of so-and-so, son of so-and-so…and so on. But in every translation, this man is just referred to as “a man with leprosy.” He isn’t given a name, just a problem, and that can be how we view ourselves – as someone not with potential, but with a problem.
But that mindset undermines God. We were created with purpose and a calling, beyond anything we’ve done in the past. Like Jesus, God has called us to move with compassion towards the broken. The lesson from Mark isn’t only that Jesus can heal – it’s that we need to love and move like Him.
Since we’re human, this can be difficult – we don’t always have compassion for people. So here are three ways to stay moved with compassion, even when we don’t’ feel like it:
1. Choose action to ignite passion
We’re taught that if you feel something, you move towards it. But that can lead us to missing the potential of things we may not have even considered. We believe that passion can come from intentional action.
Think about a musical instrument. Not many people can pick up a guitar, or a saxophone, and instantly play amazingly and love it. Most people actually start out very rough. The passion and aptitude for that musical instrument only comes AFTER the practice. The same is true in other areas of our life.
You can choose to read your Bible and pray, not because you feel like it, but because action ignited passion.
You can choose to have date night with your wife after 10 year of marriage, because action ignited passion.
You can develop a compassion heart towards broken people in our city, but you need to engage them first.
We can see a great example of this in Matthew 9:35-36, which says, “Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” Pay attention to the language that describes Jesus’ reaction to the crowd. It states that when He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them. Because He went, He saw. And because He saw, He was moved.
By engaging with action first, our hearts can likewise be filled with compassion.
2. See people with God’s eyes
Why should we want to be filled with compassion in the first place? Other than developing us into more emotionally mature human beings, the Bible calls us to strive towards being more like Jesus. That means that our hearts should break for what breaks His.
This isn’t the same as just knowing the Bible – it’s an intimate understanding of God’s heart. Jesus spent His time on Earth with known sinners, and He loved them, even when the priests at the time did not. Our motivation for serving people isn’t just to be a good person – it’s because EVERYONE matters to God.
Admittedly, this can be hard. Have you ever had a negative first impression of someone, or maybe a preconceived idea of someone you hadn’t even met yet? There have been many instances of bad first impressions that have led to God-breathed interactions. When we align our hearts with His, God can reframe how we view people and create opportunities for life-change through Him.
3. Raise your level of expectation
God will meet us at the level of our expectations. Unfortunately, because of our experiences – worldly hurts and brokenness – we’ve lowered our expectations to protect us from more disappointment. And those lowered expectations are often insulting to God.
That doesn’t mean God is mad at us, but He does want to do big things through us. He can bring exceedingly abundant change in our lives. Even if you feel like you’ve sinned too much, or you’re too far from God, you’re not. God took Saul, a zealous persecutor of Christians, and transformed Him into Paul, one of the most fervent disciples and advocate of Christianity. And He can do amazing things in you as well – so don’t be afraid to ask! It’s time to raise those expectations again.
When we align ourselves with God’s heart, we start to notice the brokenness around us, and move towards it. By sharing His love to those around us, we can make a difference and change lives. Take that step and lead with compassion this week.
Make sure to check out the full message below!
