Cultivating Compassion

Amidst the many inconveniences or discomforts which come from actively serving those in need, how do we keep our heart of compassion alive? How do we continually fan the flames of Christ-like love and mercy for hurting and hopeless people, like orphans, who the world would say are unlovable, smelly, poor, and "different"? One of the best ways I've personally found to keep a vision for compassionate service alive in my own life is to keep turning back to the cross and gazing on my Savior who displayed compassion to the greatest degree. This new song from Keith and Kristyn Getty (writers of many fabulous modern hymns like "In Christ Alone") helps me to do just that. By meditating on the great mercies shown to us by our Savior and His compassion for the outcasts of the world and sinners like all of us, I can't help but look on my own much smaller opportunities to show compassion with a renewed vision and fresh perspective. It is my hope and prayer that these lyrics will do the same for you!

Words and Music by Keith & Kristyn Getty & Stuart Townend

Copyright © 2008 Thankyou Music

There is an everlasting kindness

You lavished on us

When the Radiance of heaven Came to rescue the lost;

You called the sheep without a shepherd

To leave their distress

For your streams of forgiveness

And the shade of Your rest.

And with compassion for the hurting,

You reached out Your hand

As the lame ran to meet You

And the dead breathed again;

You saw behind the eyes of sorrow

And shared in our tears,

Heard the sigh of the weary,

Let the children draw near.

CHORUS

What boundless love,

What fathomless grace

You have shown us, O God of compassion!

Each day we live

An offering of praise

As we show to the world Your compassion.

We stood beneath the cross of Calvary

And gazed on Your face

At the thorns of oppression

And the wounds of disgrace,

For surely You have borne our suffering

And carried our grief

As You pardoned the scoffer

And showed grace to the thief.

How beautiful the feet that carry

This gospel of peace

To the fields of injustice

And the valleys of need—

To be a voice of hope and healing,

To answer the cries

Of the hungry and helpless

With the mercy of Christ.

A video of this song, "Compassion Hymn," can be found here.