Seeing Through the Eyes of Compassion
Sometimes, we become so familiar with certain Bible verses that they blend into the background noise of our lives. Luke 4:18-19 is one of those verses. These words were spoken by Jesus himself as he began his ministry. They are more than just a famous quote. They’re like a mission statement for his life and purpose. Jesus read, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me…” to the people in his hometown synagogue. He explained why he came. He revealed his purpose. He came to bring good news to the poor. He came to bring freedom to the prisoners. Jesus aimed to give healing to the blind and liberty to the oppressed. He was announcing a new season of hope and restoration for everyone who needed it most.
This message hit home for me during a painful chapter of my own life. My marriage was falling apart, and my world felt like it was crumbling. In that season of brokenness, my former husband and I came across a deliverance ministry. This ministry wasn’t just about preaching. It was about helping real people fight through real struggles. These struggles included addiction and the pain it brings to families. I met countless people who, just like me, were hurting and searching for hope.
For the first time, I was forced to look outside of my own pain. I listened to stories that were raw and heartbreaking. People talked about losing everything to addiction, feeling hopeless, or being left behind by society. Strangely, their stories gave me a new lens through which to see the world. I realized that my own suffering wasn’t unique. I understood that compassion can actually move me to do something about the pain around me.
As I grew in my faith, I began to see that Jesus wasn’t just a distant figure in history. He was someone who cared, who was moved by compassion, and who actually did something for hurting people. Compassion, I learned, is more than just feeling sorry for someone. It’s about letting that feeling move you to action, to help in whatever way you can. That’s what Jesus did—he saw people in need, and he stepped into their mess to lift them up.
My motivation changed. Instead of focusing on myself, I wanted to line up my heart with Jesus’. I wanted to be part of the healing and restoration he was bringing to others. During that time, I saw God do amazing things—lives were transformed, families were reunited, and people discovered new purposes. I saw, firsthand, what the Bible means. It talks about God saving his people and making them shine like jewels in his crown (Zechariah 9:16).
All of this left a deep mark on me. I’m passionate now about sharing God’s heart for people. The reason I do what I do comes from a desire to serve God and others, not myself. I’ve learned that understanding the heart of Jesus’ mission isn’t just about quoting scripture. It’s not merely about knowing stories. It’s about letting his compassion change us from the inside out. This way, we can play a part in bringing hope and healing to those who need it most.
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