A Daily Devotion for Friday, July 15

Romans 12:15

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

These words teach me something beyond empathy. It is not enough to hear and intellectually understand someone. Being compassionate seems to imply getting on board with someone else’s experience. This is how we can know what God would have us do in service to them. Of course, we need to keep ourselves in a position to be helpful, and not lose ourselves in our compassion. (Boundaries are essential!) But I do believe Paul is telling me here it is okay to let down the boundaries at times, because this is how we truly understand.

Father God, fill me with compassion today and every day. Help me to understand and to love. Amen

Becky, transforming