He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets. (Matt. 12:19)
As a child, I knew I had disobeyed when Dad gave me “the look.” No words were necessary. The look alone was enough for me to slink down in my seat and wish the floor would open up and swallow me whole so I could get away from those stern eyes boring into my soul. Whatever I had done, I knew I would never do it again. My life had been changed without a spoken word.
Jesus’ actions displayed His power to change lives. He proclaimed justice not by shouting through a megaphone, telling people how to change their lives. Instead, He changed lives and offered hope through compassionate healing of the “bruised reeds” and “smoldering wicks,” in other words, the weak and destitute around Him. He even instructed people not to tell who He was.
We can be a powerful influence in people’s lives not through nagging, shouting, or giving unsolicited advice, but by our compassionate actions. Rather than nag, we can pray for the Lord to work in our family members’ lives. We can seek ways to serve them and meet their needs in a way that does not draw attention to ourselves. Even in our church family, we can listen with compassion rather than be quick with our advice.
Our quiet compassion can “speak” more powerfully into lives than our mouths can.
“Speak” into lives with quiet compassion.
Rachel Schmoyer is a pastor’s wife, mom of four, and has a degree from Cairn University. She enjoys biographies of the First Ladies.
