Are we in too much of a hurry to help others? Do we rush around so we have no time to see their needs? Probably the answer is ‘yes.’ We are surrounded by so much need locally and worldwide that we suffer from compassion fatigue. Would it help if we slowed down?
Jesus is always a good example to us. He had time to notice people and then see their need. He wasn’t able to miss Zaccheus who was hiding in a tree; most of the crowd didn’t see him. The ten lepers were seen by Jesus and He had time to realise that only one came back to thank Him. He stopped by the widow who was burying her son and helped her in her deepest distress. His reactions were not always slow and measured. Think of His reaction to the money-changers in the temple when He overturned their tables. I’m glad this story is included in the Bible, it shows Jesus also had a fighting spirit.
What about us, do we have time to observe. Peoples’ needs are silent and often hidden. What is the need of that quiet person in our group who seldom joins in? Or what about the joker in the group, are they acting up to hide a pain? We pray for seeing eyes.