Ordinary Time 
Pause
“Compassion is the sometimes fatal capacity for feeling what it's like to live inside somebody else's skin. It is the knowledge that there can never really be any peace and joy for me until there is peace and joy finally for you too.”
Frederick Buechner, Wishful Thinking, 1973
We serve a God who knows what it’s like to walk in our shoes. We follow Christ, who looks at us with compassion and says, “Go in peace.” And, we find joy in the embrace of God’s Spirit.
Will you accept God’s compassion for you? Will you share such compassion with those around you?
Pause. Breathe. Soak it in. God’s compassion is yours. Today and every day.
Listen
While Jesus was still speaking with her, messengers came from the synagogue leader’s house, saying to Jairus, “Your daughter has died. Why bother the teacher any longer?”
But Jesus overheard their report and said to the synagogue leader, “Don’t be afraid; just keep trusting.” He didn’t allow anyone to follow him except Peter, James, and John, James’ brother. They came to the synagogue leader’s house, and he saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. He went in and said to them, “What’s all this commotion and crying about? The child isn’t dead. She’s only sleeping.” They laughed at him, but he threw them all out. Then, taking the child’s parents and his disciples with him, he went to the room where the child was. Taking her hand, he said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Young woman, get up.” Suddenly the young woman got up and began to walk around. She was 12 years old. They were shocked!
Mark 5:35-42
Think
I know God is with me. I know that Jesus walks beside me every day, carrying my load. I know the Holy Spirit surrounds the Earth, my advocate in times of joy and trouble.
I know these things, but I still can’t quite let go of my fears long enough to trust that God sees me. That Jesus looks on me with compassion. That the Holy Spirit embraces me always with love and care.
I know these things, but I am still afraid. I still expect the worst, and wait for God to let me down. Jesus speaks to me and says, “Don’t be afraid to keep trusting,” but I don’t hear him the way he hears me.
The truth is, Jesus always surpasses our wildest imaginations.
Choosing trust is scary. Jesus knows that, too. And yet, he implores us, “Don’t be afraid to keep trusting.” Take time today to repeat these words of Christ in your mind, that they would lead you face-to-face to our Savior, who also says, “Your faith has healed you.”
Emily Holladay
Pray
Faithful God, today, I choose trust. Help me not to be afraid. Amen.
Go
What would happen if you believed God’s compassion is deep enough and wide enough for you? Would you accept it? Would you share it?
Go today, confident in this: The God who made you came to Earth to walk in your shoes, that you might know the overwhelming peace and joy made just for you.
What are you waiting for? Go! Share this wonderful news!
