Journal de vie: One-Word Theme

Year after years, I have been making my annual resolution -- as most of you may did. More than that, I have my yearly bible passage that guides me along the year. Plus I often give theme for every month that I am going through. Themes like “Intimacy – February”, “Sparkling August”, “Colorful October”, “Productive November” etc.

This year, I’m going to try something new. Well, at the end of 2010 I have determined a theme for 2011-2012 which is “Raising my Standard”. This actually explicates my wish to become a better me in every area of my life; whether in ministry, in health, in education, etc. Well the new thing that I’m going to try is make a One-word-theme of the year. I got this idea from Dan Britton. Here’s the link: http://blog.compassion.com/one-word/ and http://sites.google.com/site/giovagnoni/One.doc?attredirects=0

I found that it was a brilliant idea when we can find one word God birthed in our spirit and try to live it out all along the year. One word could help us to focus working and learning the word day in day out. At first I was thinking about three words “Hope”, “Faithfulness” and “Compassion”. But I end up deciding Compassion as my theme of 2012 after our family worship and sharing on old and new eve. Mom is actually the one who reminds all of us to always have compassion to people in need.

Here’s the example of my word of the year and the further details:

Lydia Claudia Suwuh

Word for 2012: Compassion

com·pas·sion (k m-p sh n). n. Deep awareness of the suffering of another coupled with the wish to relieve it.

I have experienced God’s blessing, favor and mercy in a wondrous and miraculous way in the past years. It came to my mind that this year should be my time to give thanks to God, to know the desire of God’s heart even more, and to take action. In the bible, it’s obvious to see how God always has compassion; to heal the sick, to rescue those in trouble, regardless their race, belief, wealth or position. I believe that Compassion is more than sympathy or feeling. It needs to be channeled into real action just as what Jesus did.

Scripture:

Lamentations 3: 22,32 (NIV)

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love.

Proverbs 19:17 (MSG)

Mercy to the needy is a loan to God, and God pays back those loans in full.

James 1:27 (NIV)

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Jeremiah 22:3,16 (NIV)

This is what the LORD says: Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of the oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place. ¹⁶ He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me?” declares the LORD.

Psalm 41:1-3; Psalm 86:15; Psalm 112:4; Psalm 145:8

Song: Solution – Hillsong United
Give me Your Eyes - Brandon Heath

Oh You Bring – Hillsong United
Friends of the Poor - Leeland and friends

I am only grazing the surface of spiritual depth. I need to walk further, dive deeper, climb higher. I want to have more than just sympathy to people in need but to maximize my potential and to serve with my best. I wanna be the hands and feet of Jesus.

To whom should I have compassion..

To poor people (including beggar)

To those I minister (kids suffer for cancer at Estella, kids at Pasar Karombasan, kids at Salvation Army Orphanage)

To people around me who needs acceptance, compliment, etc

To loner

To those who like me not

To friends

To those people God put in my heart or mind (could be anyone)

What hinder me in showing compassion..

Prejudice to beggar

Laziness to come and visit those kids I minister

Selfishness