What constitutes our path?

Let's assume that believers are in agreement that we should be compassionate. But the disagreements come when you flesh it out. There seems to be two approaches/attitudes about how to do compassion. Our group has taken a very intentional approach to compassion. We know that there are 15,000 people, mostly children, close by in our community that live below the poverty level. By definition, that means they do not have enough money to buy enough food. As a result, they have to make choices like whether to buy food or pay a utility bill. At the lowest end of the SES range, there are families living in homeless shelters trying to get into their own housing. These families are fragile and not far from coming apart. Most are sleeping in deplorable conditions. We go looking for these families. We are learning where they go and we go there. We get to know them and, if appropriate, we offer to build them beds, give them new mattresses and linen, and be attentive to what other needs would be appropriate to meet. Why? To increase their stability and their dignity – basically to show them compassion.

Others take the position that you don’t need to or shouldn’t go looking for people to show compassion to. Rather, we should show compassion to those who come across our path. People with this attitude likely would not be inclined to join our effort.

[recent discussion]

X: Some say we should’nt go looking for people to be compassionate to. The ones we are supposed to be compassionate to will come across our path.
M: In a mystical sort of way? Like God arranging it?
X: Yes
M: We put a brief write up on Crystal’s family in the church bulletin with a request for help. Does that constitute being across their path?
X: Good question!
M: So all who read the bulletin will perceive that Crystal and her family are across their path and will want to help us in our efforts to build her some beds and come along side her for a time?
X: No. I don’t think many, if any, will. First of all nobody reads the bulletin. Secondly, if they did, I don’t think they would see that situation as in their path.
M: So basically their path needs to be literally blocked, as in some decrepit body spread out on the sidewalk that they have to step over?
X: [laughs] Yes.


What constitutes “coming across our path?” If I read about the water crisis in Africa, has it now come across my path? Or does there have to be some mystical experience or intervention connected with it before it is right to do compassion?

Maybe I only have to be compassionate to those people he tells me to be compassionate to. I will wait upon the Lord; in the meantime, I might as well join a discussion group or go fishing.

We are making this way to hard.