Compassion Passion

Compassion Passion

Bible Blast: Read 1 John 3:16-18

The LORD gives righteousness and justice to all who are treated unfairly. Psalm 103:6

Agnesë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu was born into a wealthy family in Macedonia. I guess she could have spent her entire life enjoying her riches, but she didn’t. When she was yet a teenager, she left home to become a missionary. After a short time with the Sisters of Loreto, she was riding on a train when she received what she named “the call within a call.” God was asking her to spend her life loving the poorest of the poor while living among them.

She became a citizen of India and began the Missionaries of Charity in 1950. She and the other missionaries would own only two Indian saris (or dresses). The day they wore one, they would wash the other. They lived simply with no possessions, and they poured themselves daily into the care of “the hungry, the naked, the homeless, the crippled, the blind, the lepers, all those people who feel unwanted, unloved, uncared for throughout society, people that have become a burden to the society and are shunned by everyone.”

She became known as Mother Teresa, and her little missions group grew from thirteen people to more than 4,500 members in help centers of various kinds in 133 countries. When she died in 1997, tens of thousands of people lined the streets as the funeral procession went by. The work goes on without her today. She wasn’t wealthy or even a movie star. She was famous for one thing: loving people, especially the poor and sick.

Maybe God will use you to start hundreds of help centers all over the world. But until then, begin to notice those in need around you now. You might be in a situation where you don’t feel like you have much to give, but there is always someone you can help.

You won’t just be giving to a person. You’ll be giving to God.

Girl Gab: Is there someone you know who would appreciate a cheerful smile and a plate of cookies? Make plans with your mom to make those cookies and deliver them with an encouraging note. When you give that person the treat, pray for him or her. If you can’t think of anyone, ask God to show you who needs you right now.