Properly Clothed
Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. - Colossians 3:12
When I was younger, my older brother loved to beat me at games. Whether it be basketball or board games, he got a certain level of enjoyment out of beating me. There was this one video game that I loved that he would always taunt that I could never beat him. So, I kept practicing and practicing. Finally, that one day came where I finally beat him. I rose my hands in the air triumphantly having finally achieved what he never thought I could do. Yet even though I had beaten numerous others who were probably even more skilled than him, I took the least amount of satisfaction from that victory. You see, through all the taunting he is still my brother. I took no great pride in his losing. In fact, I felt compassion for him. Yes, there are far more things more important to feel compassionate about, but in that moment, it was a feeling that has been a part of me to this day. No matter whether it was beating an opponent or seeing a homeless person on the street, it is important to have a heart for others because they matter.
As Christians, we talk about compassion easily and yet living it can feel costly. Many of us don’t have time to be as we are already stretched by deadlines, family needs, and quiet worries that no one else sees. Others fear being taken advantage of. We fear we will not have enough time, enough money, or enough emotional energy. And being honest, some days we struggle to feel anything at all. God sees this. He knows our limits, our mixed motives, and our longing to be part of something more than ourselves. Yet, He does not shame us in these moments. He invites us.
Compassion is not a mood that may or may not show up. It is clothing we put on because of who we are in Christ. We are saved by grace, not by works, and our new life is a gift that reshapes our daily habits. We are God’s masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus for good works that He prepared for us to walk in. So, we dress for the work by choosing compassion.
Compassion begins in the heart of God. Jesus said, “You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.” (Luke 6:36) When we observe a neighbor suffering from pain or grief, we are not manufacturing kindness. We are reflecting the kindness we have received from God Himself. Paul further emphasizes this saying, “Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32). Compassion is the overflow of forgiven people who remember the mercy that met them first.
If you are someone who struggles being compassionate for others, here is a simple framework to help compassion take root. First, ask God to open your eyes to one person today whom you might normally overlook. A person you pass by in the morning, a quiet person in school, a reserved child on the margins, a colleague who is short with everyone because life is heavy at home. All of these are opportunities for us to share a minute of God’s love and grace with them. Second, deliberately take a minute to pause in your day. Compassion does not come overnight. It requires practice particularly when you are in a world that moves fast. Try whispering a short prayer and choose one small delay that creates space for God’s love in your heart. Third, step forward. Say a name, ask one sincere question, or offer a specific kindness that honors dignity. My usual question is, “Are you okay?” Finally, be present. Compassion is not a transaction. It is connection that remains long enough to show that you care. When we practice these, we are practicing a way of life that looks like Jesus.
Compassion reorients how we see ourselves and God. Some of us will serve tirelessly and still feel like we have not done enough, and that is okay. Remember the order of grace. God’s love for you is not a about what you need to do to earn it. It is the unearned gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ. From that secure place, you are free to give without fear, to rest without guilt, and to try again when you fall short. Remember that Christ is our source for compassion. Seek Him for He sees, knows, and loves you. Let His tenderhearted mercy becomes your clothing again. Let us try to be as compassionate as Christ is toward us. Where is God inviting me to slow down so I can see the person in front of me and not just the problem? Which of the four moves do I resist most, see, pause, be present, or stay, and what small change will I make this week? My prayer is that we are clothed with the compassion of Christ today. Amen.