This week a verse in Hebrews has been on my mind. It reads:
“Keep on loving one another as
brothers and sisters. Continue to remember those in prison as if you were
together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves
were suffering.” (Hebrews 13:1, 3)
There’s a big difference between having sympathy for someone versus
having empathy. The difference is made clear in this verse when it says to
remember the imprisoned and mistreated, as
if you yourself were imprisoned and mistreated. Feeling the
pain of others rather than feeling sorry for them is the dividing line between
empathy and sympathy.
When I read this passage, it prompted me to spend time praying for
and feeling the pain of my imprisoned, mistreated, and persecuted brothers and
sisters in Christ. As I pondered current events and news headlines, it was not
difficult to find situations or people groups to pray for, but it was difficult
to enter into their fear and pain in a manner that moved me beyond sympathy.
For most of us, thinking of our persecuted brothers and sisters serves mostly
as a reminder of how good we have it. This is not entirely wrong, but it’s not
the kind of love that is encouraged in Hebrews.
Take time in your day to be grateful for how fortunate we are to
live in North America, for sure! Ask God for the grace to continue to remember
and love our imprisoned and mistreated brothers and sisters.
-
Pastor Kevin
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