The Road To: Empathy
The Road to: Empathy
With all the fussing and fighting in the world lately, I’ve been sitting on the porch of my mind wondering, “How on earth do we fix this?”
In our current "Word" sermon series, the word empathy keeps bubbling up to the surface for me. It’s the kind of heart-work we need to really shift how we think and treat one another. I’ll be honest: I spent a good while tossing and turning between writing about Empathy or Humility. Then it hit me—maybe you can't have one without the other.
Think about it: if we can set aside our own "me-first" egos, aren't we much better at seeing what someone else is going through? Jesus is the ultimate example of this. He stepped out of heaven to become a servant—that’s Humility (Philippians 2:7-8). And because He became one of us, He truly "gets" our struggles—that’s Empathy (Hebrews 4:15).
So, how would you describe empathy? Is it a feeling you lean into often? At its strongest, empathy can feel like a "gut punch"—it’s heavy lifting for the soul.
Look at Jesus in John 11. When He saw Mary and her friends weeping, He didn’t just give a polite nod. He was "deeply moved" and "greatly disturbed." Then comes the shortest, most powerful verse in the Book: "Jesus wept." He didn’t just observe their pain; He shared it. That’s compassion and empathy walking hand-in-hand.
We see it again in Matthew 9. When Jesus looked at the crowds, His heart just plain broke. He saw folks who were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Have you ever felt that physical ache in your chest just by watching someone else struggle?
How do we get better at this? One of my favorite authors who writes about listening skills suggests asking, "What is their movie?" In other words, what is playing out in their life that I can’t see? Instead of the usual, "Let me know if you need anything" (which we all know often means "call me never"), let’s try specific kindness. Prepare and/or deliver a meal like our Deacons do. And when we say, "I'm praying for you," let’s make sure we actually do it—this is a prayer blog, after all!
So, what’s the move today? What can we do a little differently? If you’ve got a story of empathy or a prayer you’re holding close, I’d love for you to share it with us.
As you go about your day, take a moment to sit with the words of "The Servant Song" (Hymn 727). It says it best: "I will weep when you are weeping / When you laugh, I’ll laugh with you."
Brother, sister let me serve you.
Let me be as Christ to you.
Pray that I might have the grace
To let you be my servant, too.
We are pilgrims on a journey.
We are brothers on the road.
We are here to help each other
Walk the mile and bear the load.
I will hold the Christ-light for you
In the night time of your fear.
I will hold my hand out to you;
Speak the peace you long to hear.
I will weep when you are weeping.
When you laugh, I’ll laugh with you.
I will share your joy and sorrow
Till we’ve seen this journey through.
When we sing to God in heaven,
We shall find such harmony
Born of all we’ve known together
Of Christ’s love and agony.
Brother, sister let me serve you.
Let me be as Christ to you.
Pray that I might have the grace
To let you be my servant, too.
Praying (and singing) for you,
PB
Community Presbyterian Church (CPC) welcomes all people into God’s way of life and community.
“Community” means those we know well and those we hope to know, those sitting next to us in a pew, and those we encounter day by day. It’s large and expansivew. It’s small and intimate.
Community Presbyterian Church
32202 Del Obispo
San Juan Capistrano. CA 92675
949-493-1502
info@sjcpres.org