“He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.” Micah 7:19
As I approached the greenway by the river a feeling of wonder overcame me. The setting was beautiful with a refreshing cool breeze blowing through the changing leaves of brilliant yellow and orange. I walked across the New River through the covered bridge. Before me lay a pave
d mountain trail that ran beside the river twisting with it’s bends and turns. It was a familiar trail that I had often run on, but I never tired of its beauty and peacefulness. I always left refreshed and never grew tired of the setting with the sounds of the river, and the solitude it brought. I thought this would be a day just like all the others as I took off on my 3 mile run. When I came off the bridge I noticed to my left a handwritten piece of paper taped to a trail sign. I am by nature a very curious person so I stopped to read what the sign said.
“Lost. Necklace with multi colored stones. Sentimental value. Reward offered”
There was also a phone number at the bottom of the sign. But I thought little of it, except to feel a hint of empathy, but quickly headed down the trail for my run. I pessimistically thought, “that person will never find her necklace.” As I ran by the river, my mind kept going back to the sign, and the owner’s necklace. It didn’t take long before something interesting began to happen; I started to look for the necklace. It wasn’t very easy either because it began to affect my stride as I looked side to side trying my best to spot the necklace. Occasionally I would slow down when I saw something shiny. But as I searched the trail I felt a growing desire within me to find this piece of someone’s history. The more I looked, the more I prayed that I would find the necklace. Soon I began to think about what I would say to the person if I found it. I didn’t want the reward money. I only wanted to see the poor girl’s face when I handed it to her. Especially when I refused the reward money.
But, alas, I never found it. Instead the whole run started my mind churning and asking myself why it was so important for me to find this unknown girl’s necklace? It didn’t make sense to me at first, until I realized that the reason I felt such compassion was because God is a compassionate God. And we are made in his image. We have his DNA hardwired into us and the most uncorrupt basics of emotion are there essentially because God place them there. This realization encouraged me and brought a smile to my face. But it also occurred to me that this was an intangible proof of God. It was like a forensic piece of evidence pointing to this remarkable Creator. I cared about the woman’s necklace, as unimportant as that might seem, because it’s shows how God cares for us, his children.
It reminded me of the time one of my kid’s bikes was stolen when we lived in Colorado one summer. I searched and searched, but to no avail. Then I simply prayed that God would show me his kindness, not because he had to, but because he was good and compassionate. As soon as I said “amen” I looked up and fifty yards away I saw the bike!
Living out our faith and trusting God each day doesn’t require that he make our life easier or trouble free. Sometimes our lives are remarkably challenging and painful, but when we focus on his character and his consistency we can navigate those moments successfully. After all he told David in Psalm 23 that he would walk with him through the valley, not remove him from it. Being with us is, in reality, enough.
As you think about God’s compassions what comes to mind? How has he shown his compassion to you?
How does it strike you to know that you are made in God’s image? How might this affect how you live your life today?
Create a thank you list to express your thankfulness for God’s compassion upon you in saving you.
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
Neale Davis 