Compassion is Bowel Movement?

Trust that most of us are familiar with the experience of, if not the term, "bowel movement." I remember several times in my life when I just "had to go" because the "movement" was getting unbearable. And there have been several times when I couldn't get to the "throne" in time, and what resulted was:

1. designs all over the floor

2. throwing away of undies

3. other disgusting imagery

Whatever your experience, we can all agree that when the bowel "moves," we just have to go, or just gotta do something about it!

Interestingly enough, the Greek word for "COMPASSION" in the Bible is "Splagchnizomai." Here's what it means:-

Strong's Number: 4697

“Splagchnizomai”

to be moved as to one's bowels, hence to be moved with compassion, have compassion

(for the bowels were thought to be the seat of love and pity)

I have come to learn that true compassion (not just sympathy or pity or anything like that), will cause you to do something about it.

"Compassion will move you to action."

This was (and still is) true in the life of Jesus. All throughout scripture, we see that every time Jesus (or even others in the Bible) was moved with compassion, He did something about it:-

Matthew 14:14 (NIV)

When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

Matthew 9:36-38 (NIV)

36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."

Matthew 20:34 (NIV)

Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.

Matthew 18:27 (NKJV)

Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.

Matthew 15:32 (NIV)

Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way."

Mark 1:41 (NKJV)

Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, "I am willing; be cleansed."

Luke 15:20 (NIV)

So he got up and went to his father. "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

May we learn to pray,

"God move our hearts with what move yours. Break our hearts with what breaks yours. Excite our heart with what excites yours!"

and may we live as we have prayed. Let's learn to have compassion in and on our world, so that we will be moved to do something about it - and make our world a better place, by introducing and leading the world to Christ - our ultimate Answer and Fulfillment!