Long ago, News was something we could change. Before technology, we learned about what was going on by word of mouth in our small communities. If a neighbor’s barn burned down, we could help rebuild it. If a mother lost her child to sickness, neighbors would band together to provide support and relief through meals, donations, and a shared time of grieving.

We had the ability to show compassion, to actually DO something about the news we heard, and that gave us some form of relief from the tragedy – to know that we were able to do something about it.

Times have changed, and now we are exposed to Tragic stories on a play-by-play as our news feeds explode with crises as they happen- real time- on a global scale.

This feels like information overload, and I’m beginning to wonder if we were ever meant to know so much.

Don’t get me wrong- I want to be in the know. After all, what savvy, modern Mom would willfully rejoice in ignorance, right?

The thing is, I cannot continue to read about these horrific stories without feeling the need to lock myself into a closet somewhere with a bowl of ice cream and a set of noise-canceling earphones. I want to keep scrolling, I want to change the channel, I’d rather watch The Voice and cute animal videos- anything to help me forget about all the things that seem to be outside my control.

But beneath it all, I am grieved!! I am overwhelmed and frustrated and upset about the things I see, and I can’t even listen to the news anymore before going into work, because it makes me want to cry, and that would just be, well- awkward. -Picture smeared mascara, teary eyed, blubbering “How can I help you today sir?” Like I said, Awkward.

I think – as Christians especially – we need to start closing the gap between hearing what’s going on, and actually doing something about it. I fear we risk losing our compassion if we do not begin to respond to these stories. I know we cannot all physically rush to a country to provide help, maybe we can’t even send money to every situation that arises, but we can Pray. And no, it is not the least thing we can do.

I do not believe that committing someone to a compassionate God who happens to be all places at all times, and holds all power is a small thing to do. When did we start believing the lie that small prayers are insufficient prayers? If the model prayer that Jesus taught us to pray is less than a minute in length, then why do we feel those small whispered moments are futile?

God is just as likely to respond to a short prayer for “HELP!” as He is to answer someone who sets an alarm to get up an hour early.

Jesus was Moved by compassion – which means, He did something about it. He didn’t just cry over a person’s sickness, He reached out and healed them. I believe that we need to start asking, God, what do you want Me to do about this? and then do that thing. I don’t want to just feel sad about Planned Parenthood, I want to know if God is calling our family to adopt. And if not, I want to know which Pregnancy Care Center I can support.

Jesus said that there would be a time that lawlessness would increase so much, that the love of many would grow cold. Do you know what that means? It means there will be so much wickedness that people will stop caring. I don’t want to be one of those people. I don’t want to lose my compassion.

Let’s be people who are known for actually doing something to bring change.

It’s getting dark out there. It’s about time we set some fires. . .

Originally posted September 6, 2015