I have a "compassionate heart." I don't like to see anyone hurt. I would rather take the pain than see someone in that pain.
I have a "giving heart." I live to serve. Nothing (on this earth anyway) satisfies me more than to see everyone around me well cared for, protected, content, and enjoying life.
But we live on a planet that is full of evil, darkness, and cruelty.
Which is against what I am.
Now, I have several reactions -
1: I could spend my days striving to protect - to develop skills of offensive tactics that would cause harm to those who would harm others. That is not who I am. Yes, I say it is good to be able to defend yourself and others, wonderful even. But I even have difficulty hurting people who would kill me. Why? Because I even care about my enemies.
2: I could spend my days training myself not to care so much. Because what is the point? I'm just going to watch everyone suffer because I trusted my enemy? No. I said nothing of that. I still don't trust them. I don't trust easily. Rather, I "turn the other cheek." I give, I help, I serve. But I have been damaged, attacked, betrayed. The easy road would be to simply turn it off and become cruel myself. That is not who I am. It cuts me to pieces even when I accidentally say or do something that hurts someone. I tried shutting out my conscience. It made me spiritually, and therefore physically, sick. It was not the best of times.
3: I could spend my days holding my hand out to everyone - in a sign of peace, healing, and servitude. Compassion. Regardless of the obstacles. Regardless of the evils in this world. The love of God. I give, because I have. It seems not much, but it is everything. Because God, the Infinite, the Omnipresent, the Lover of Souls, gave His life for all. I have received, so I give. That is who I am.
I have a "giving heart." I live to serve. Nothing (on this earth anyway) satisfies me more than to see everyone around me well cared for, protected, content, and enjoying life.
But we live on a planet that is full of evil, darkness, and cruelty.
Which is against what I am.
Now, I have several reactions -
1: I could spend my days striving to protect - to develop skills of offensive tactics that would cause harm to those who would harm others. That is not who I am. Yes, I say it is good to be able to defend yourself and others, wonderful even. But I even have difficulty hurting people who would kill me. Why? Because I even care about my enemies.
2: I could spend my days training myself not to care so much. Because what is the point? I'm just going to watch everyone suffer because I trusted my enemy? No. I said nothing of that. I still don't trust them. I don't trust easily. Rather, I "turn the other cheek." I give, I help, I serve. But I have been damaged, attacked, betrayed. The easy road would be to simply turn it off and become cruel myself. That is not who I am. It cuts me to pieces even when I accidentally say or do something that hurts someone. I tried shutting out my conscience. It made me spiritually, and therefore physically, sick. It was not the best of times.
3: I could spend my days holding my hand out to everyone - in a sign of peace, healing, and servitude. Compassion. Regardless of the obstacles. Regardless of the evils in this world. The love of God. I give, because I have. It seems not much, but it is everything. Because God, the Infinite, the Omnipresent, the Lover of Souls, gave His life for all. I have received, so I give. That is who I am.
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