The tension of compassion
Recently we heard from some friends of ours who are serving the Lord in a city of a million in Mexico. It brought to my mind something I’ve thought about a lot lately.
The need really is staggering. Working in one of the less-Christian areas of Mexico, they know of only five missionaries – including themselves – in the whole city of a million (for example, imagine one person trying to disciple 200,000 other people!). In contrast, there are 50 missionaries with a cult group in town.
It’s always so frustrating to see such a huge need and to be able to do so little about it. And that’s what I’ve thought about a lot lately. There seems to be a constant tension . . . on the one hand, you need to do what the Lord has given you to do, and find joy in that. On the other hand, you need to have compassion on so many people who still haven’t met the Saviour. And on the other hand (how many hands is that?) you need to do all you can to be a part of reaching the world for Christ. As William Carey said,”Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God.“
Of course, Jesus modelled this for us as He stood and saw the huge crowd of people who were lost. He expressed the tension in His words. In His limited earthly ministry, even Jesus did not choose to do all the work Himself, but asked, as He still asks, for others to join Him. Here’s how Matthew put it:
When he saw the crowds, he felt sorry for them. They were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples,
“A large crop is in the fields, but there are only a few workers. Ask the Lord in charge of the harvest to send out workers to bring it in.”
(Matthew 9:35-38)
Please do pray that the Lord will send workers to Mexico, and the many areas of the world in need!