Show empathy

“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” Romans 12:15 NIV

In a story published by wbur yesterday, it was reported that the Boston Athletic Association, which organizes the Boston Marathon, became one of the latest U.S.-based groups to release new regulations in the effort to “pressure and ostracize Russian leadership” by banning runners who want to run as representatives of Russia and its ally, Belarus, from this year's race. As someone who’s been blessed to run the race several times, my heart goes out to the many athletes this ban affects that have put in countless hours of training to qualify and prepare for the iconic 26.2 mile race; not to mention the hundreds of dollars most of them have already invested in entry fees and air fare. Dan Fitzgerald, president of the running shoe and apparel store, Heartbreak Hill Running Company, who trains around 700 runners each year for the race had this to say about it, “I do think that running the Boston Marathon is a privilege. I can empathize with athletes, certainly they're the people with whom I empathize most. An athlete who doesn't get the opportunity that they've been training for is a terrible experience.”

And you know, when it comes to expressing empathy, or relating to another person’s pain or joy vicariously, or as if you've experienced those same emotions yourself, the Bible tells us that we are to “rejoice with those who rejoice” and to “mourn with those who mourn.” Which means that, although you and I might not always know why a person is feeling the way they do, we can and should make the utmost effort to be considerate of their feelings by taking the time to truly understand their emotional state and reactions. 

So in a world where you can be anything, be kind my friend. Be compassionate. Be caring. And be looking for opportunities and ways to mourn with those who mourn and to rejoice with those who rejoice. This is one of the best ways you and I can show the love of Jesus to a world in desperate need of knowing Him. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for those people in our lives who are truly emphatic to our feelings and who have a unique ability to make us feel better just by being around them. Help us to be that person to others Lord. Help us to love like you love and to see others the way that You do so that we might be your hands and feet. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!