The Birth Of Compassion

By pastorbillwalden

I have a friend in whom God is doing an incredible work. Compassion is being birthed in him. It has been more costly to him than I dare say, but the result that is coming forth is incredible.

Birth is painful. I was with my wife Debbie at the birth of our children. Debbie grew increasingly uncomfortable as the time of birth approached. There were months of increasing pain and discomfort prior to her giving birth.

When Sarah, our firstborn, came into the world, the first thing that Debbie said was, “Let’s have another one”. I was amazed at her, and also thought back on Jesus’ words regarding birth.

John 16:21 “A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world.” My wife had a very scriptural post-delivery attitude!

Jesus also spoke about life coming forth from death…“unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. “ (John 12:24)

Life comes forth from death. Birth comes forth through pain. Though the process is painful, the result is cherished.

I knew my friend before compassion was birthed in him. We weren’t friends then, only acquaintances. That’s just how things were. It was a season of life for him that didn’t yet include me.

As death began working in his life, my interaction with him increased. I saw him frequently. We spent many hours talking. As the weeks and months passed, I began to see things dying in him, such as self assurance, will power, and self determination. He had plenty to be angry about. Many might say he had a right to feel as he did, and that his lifestyle choices were understandable. We both knew that there was something more important for him. He began to surrender to Jesus more and more.

His focus shifted from others and self to Jesus. Wrongs done against him were being increasingly set aside. That was the death of a demand for justice. Self reliance was being set aside. That was the death of pride.

As death continued to work in his life, life was being born into him. Compassion appeared and caught him off guard. Love came and surprised him. Emotions and feelings appeared that had never been experienced.

It is an difficult thing to see a man die to himself, but it is awesome thing to see a man discover agape love.

I cried when my children were born. I have cried watching the birth of compassion in this man’s life. Others have cried as well. He and we have cried because of the painful process. How wonderful it is to now cry because of the joy.