I have seen instances where the winner of a contest has consoled those that were not on the winning side. An example is a baseball game that was finished with the pitcher besting the hitter that was a former teammate and friend. While the winning team celebrated the pitcher immediately, without hesitation, went to the hitter, his friend to console him in the loss. All other things of the situation took a back seat to the relationship between the two. This is compassion in action.
“13Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the LORD has comforted his people and will have compassion on his afflicted.” – Isaiah 49:13 (ESV)
Notice the compassion of God demonstrated, not on the winners, but on those that are defeated by Him. God wins and when He does, He is understand to those that suffered in the instance, showing comfort to those on the “winning” side, and those that are defeated He shows compassion.
I have to remember the compassionate part of God’s actions here. It is good to be on the winning side of things, but on the other side there is heartache and sadness. It is up to me to bring love and compassion to those. It is not the time for boasting, but a time for caring. It is the time to truly demonstrate the example of God’s love. I am to live out the compassion that the Lord gives.
I have to remember also that the afflicted as noted in the verse above is not just those that are defeated in the instance where I may be considered the victor and they not. The afflicted are those that may be seen as disadvantaged and in need. It is my duty to show compassion for them and do that which is unexpected and contrary to the societal norms. Like the pitcher who did not celebrate the win right away, but immediately consoled his friend while the rest of the participants celebrated or mourned the outcome of the contest.
When you are engaged in a scenario, what is your feeling toward those on the other side? As the “victor” are you conscious of the feelings and emotions of those that are not the “victors”? What if you were to show the compassion of the Lord to all those on the other side of your situation as opposed to only thinking of your own side?
Trevor's Thoughts 