Leading with the Heart

When he saw the crowds,

he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, 

like sheep without a shepherd.

Matt 9:36 (NLT)

Sometimes the first reaction we have when someone is in trouble or suffering is, "They brought this on themselves by their own weakness and failure.  They are suffering because of their addiction or their poor choices.  Why can't they just get their life together?  If they were stronger they wouldn't be suffering now."  This is judgment.  This is our human way of thinking. 

Instead, Jesus looked and had compassion on those who were suffering.  He understands that our suffering is often caused by our own failures and weaknesses, but instead of judging and condemning, he comes alongside to help.  Love doesn't judge and condemn.  Instead, love extends a listening ear and a helping hand no matter the cause of the distress. 

Henri Nouwen, the Catholic priest who spent his later years helping disabled adults, teaches us that when we stop judging and evaluating others we become free to be compassionate. "Compassion can never coexist with judgment because judgment creates the distance, the distinction, which prevents us from really being with the other." (Henri J.M. Nouwen, The Way of the Heart, pg. 35)

And Paul Miller says,  "Judging is knee-jerk, quick, and bereft of thought, while compassion is slow and thought-filled.  Judging separates and, thus, destroys community; compassion unites and creates community." (Paul E. Miller, Love Walked Among Us, Learning to Love Like Jesus, pg. 47)

When our minds jump quickly to judgment, let us stop and think.  Let us think of Jesus who came alongside us.  Who put himself in our shoes and went so far as to lay down his life that he might lift us up out of the pain caused by our own failures. Let us lead with our heart and think, "How can I enter in to help this person in their time of need?"