Readings for today: 1 Thessalonians 1-5
As crazy as it sounds, I recently ran across a corner of Christian social media critiquing “empathy.” It seems there are a certain segment of pastors who are very concerned that Christians might show too much empathy for those who are struggling or lost or poor or marginalized in some way. I have to say going down that rabbit hole was one of the most discouraging things I have done in a long time. It was brutal to see such a lack of love and caring from Christians who have been called to imitate Christ in how they lead and serve. Such a difference in tone from what we read in 1 Thessalonians today!
I love what Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 2:8, “We loved you dearly. Not content to just pass on the Message, we wanted to give you our hearts. And we did.” This is the very definition of empathy. Empathy has to do with feeling the feelings of others. It literally means entering their hearts and experiencing what they experience. It’s why we talk about “grieving with those who grieve” and “weeping with those who weep.” When we sit in the dust and ashes of a person’s life with them, we are expressing not just sympathy and compassion but something even deeper and more profound. Empathy levels the ground. It puts us all in the same boat together as we experience the challenges of navigating this life. Again, Paul puts it well, “Even though we had some standing as Christ’s apostles, we never threw our weight around or tried to come across as important, with you or anyone else. We weren’t standoffish with you. We took you just as you were. We were never patronizing, never condescending, but we cared for you the way a mother cares for her children.” (1 Thessalonians 2:6-7 MSG)
As I watched the videos and listened to the podcasts and read the articles/blogs written by the anti-empathy crowd, I found myself wishing I could sit down and read through 1 Thessalonians with them. I would want to listen to how they process not just “what” Paul shares in this letter but “how” he shares it. As far as I can tell, these pastors are responding out of fear. They fear the compromises that often come when one courageously enters into another person’s heart or condition or experience. It’s tempting to soften our own convictions in order to come alongside someone who is hurting or broken or feeling all alone. I get it. I really do. And yet, the Apostle Paul makes it clear from his own life that it’s possible to maintain one’s deep convictions while showing empathy to those who are struggling. I know my life has been immeasurably enriched by the time I’ve spent with the global poor, the socially/politically oppressed, the struggling and hurting, and other marginalized groups. I’ve learned so much about God and His heart that I otherwise would have been blind to had I not engaged in empathetic listening and learning with these brothers and sisters.
Readings for tomorrow: 2 Thessalonians 1-3