Do you remember what drew you to your global work? Was it a short-term ministry trip that gave you a glimpse into another part of the world? A presentation given by a global worker? A professor in Bible college or seminary? A specific passage of Scripture that deeply impacted you?

God used something or someone to prick our hearts for His Kingdom work beyond our own borders. Our global work began in our hearts before we even took a step on new soil. Our hearts were filled with compassion toward lost souls and sent us raising support, training up, and packing our bags.

Matthew 9:36 states, “When he [Jesus] saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” Right after Matthew pens these words, he quotes Jesus saying to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Our compassion gets us to the field like a driving force, eager to share the love of our Saviour.

But what happens when that compassion wanes? The excitement of our new culture wears off, often leaving us frustrated and irritated with the nuances and annoyances we’ve discovered among the people we aim to reach. Some of the work we do is a very long-term investment over many years of sharing the gospel. The lack of response alone can harden our hearts to the very souls we came to reach.

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12

Compassion compelled Jesus in His ministry, and it is the first exhortation listed for us in Colossians 3:12. Let us pray and ask the Holy Spirit to continually fill us with compassion so that we may persevere in our gospel work. And may we have eyes to see people the way our Father sees them and hearts to love them as the Son loved them. Let the compassion that got us here be renewed day by day.