I wrote a poem about something I’ve learned over this past month in Ghana. I am no expert on compassion nor am I perfect at this in application. I am simply one who is on a journey of learning to love better. I am learning what it looks like to love well. So, I wrote a poem of my own journey from pity to compassion. I have not arrived I am still going so please don’t feel condemned, don’t take on the pressure that you have to save the world, but allow this to compel you to a life of love in action.
“What is pity but simply a feeling?
I see your need and I grieve it,
But I keep walking cause stopping is an inconvenience
And I’d rather just let the feeling stay a feeling,
Cause action gets me involved in it,
Honestly It’s easier to feel than to do,
An emotional response shows I still have a heart for you
Without having to dirty myself in the mess of you
I mean no one can save the world right?
There’s too much need to even try,
Where do I even begin to bring the light?
They say start with the person in front of you but why?
That homeless man is going to use the money for drugs anyways
I’m just enabling people if I give them anything
It’s safer to just turn and look the other way
But My pity is fleeting not leading to action today
It’s cleaner up here
My cup of water doesn’t have to get smeared
I don’t have to give up what I love, I don’t have to stop in the mud, I can just stay in my clouds up above
And be content with a life limited to feeling but not moved to love,
But What about compassion?
It’s when you allow the feeling to go deep and move you to action,
When you choose someone else over you with no boundaries or exceptions
Choosing to do something instead of being too busy or distracted
When you don’t just see a person you see a brother or sister in need of affection
You stop your life to help someone else continue their own
You give your very best so their hope isn’t too far gone
Here’s my time, possessions and attention so you’ll know you’re seen and known
No expecting a pay back I’ll give my all with no strings attached
Because I see you’re worthy and more than what you lack
I’m so glad Jesus didn’t just feel pity for me. That his love moved him to come and die for me. To choose death so I could know a life that is free, that he was covered in my dirt so I could be clean.
So God let a heart of compassion be my core
Give me hands that are scarred with love like yours”
-Liv
