Pastoral Messages by Matriarch Elnette Edwards
Dear ones,
Compassion is more than feeling sorry for someone—it’s suffering with them, entering into their pain, and being moved to action. The word compassion literally means “to suffer together.” It’s the quality that made Jesus weep at Lazarus’s tomb even though He knew He was about to raise him. It’s what moved Him to heal the sick, feed the hungry, and touch the untouchable.
I’ve learned that compassion requires both eyes and feet—eyes to see the need and feet to respond to it. It’s easy to feel momentary sympathy when we hear about someone’s struggle, but compassion moves us beyond feelings to tangible help. Compassion asks “What can I do?” and then does it.
Years ago, a woman in our community lost her husband suddenly. She had three young children and no income. I felt terrible for her—we all did. But one sister in our church didn’t just feel bad; she organized a meal train, set up a fund to help with bills, arranged childcare so the widow could look for work, and checked on her weekly for months. That’s compassion—seeing the need and responding practically.
Jesus modeled compassion constantly. He saw the widow of Nain following her son’s funeral procession and raised the boy to life. He saw the hungry multitudes and fed them. He saw the woman caught in adultery being condemned and offered her mercy instead. He didn’t wait for people to come to Him with perfect requests—He saw their need and responded.
Compassion also requires us to slow down. We live in such a hurried world that we often rush past people’s pain. We’re so focused on our agenda that we miss the person right in front of us who’s struggling. I’ve had to learn to create margin in my life—space to notice, space to listen, space to help. Some of my most meaningful ministry moments happened when I was willing to be interrupted.
But compassion must be balanced with wisdom. Being compassionate doesn’t mean enabling destructive behavior or allowing people to take advantage of you. Jesus was compassionate, but He also spoke hard truths and maintained boundaries. Compassion can say no when necessary, can refuse to enable, can require accountability—all while maintaining a heart that genuinely cares.
I’ve also learned that compassion often costs us something. It costs time when we’re already busy. It costs money when we’re already stretched thin. It costs emotional energy when we’re already depleted. But this is where we follow Christ’s example—He gave everything, holding nothing back, pouring Himself out for others.
Compassion also extends to ourselves. Many of us are harsh and critical with ourselves, showing others more grace than we give ourselves. But God is compassionate toward us—slow to anger, abounding in love, understanding our weaknesses. If He treats us with such compassion, shouldn’t we extend that same compassion to ourselves?
The world is full of pain, brokenness, and need. It’s easy to become numb or overwhelmed. But God isn’t calling us to fix everything—He’s calling us to respond to the needs He places before us with compassionate action. When we do, we become His hands and feet, demonstrating His love in tangible ways.
Who has God placed in your path today? What need are you being called to respond to? Don’t just feel bad—do something. Your compassion could be the very thing that gives someone hope to keep going.
Moved with compassion, Matriarch Elnette Edwards
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