Empathetic Gracious Space

I just watched a short video entitled, Empathy, The Human Connection to Patient Care. The first scene is of an attendant pushing a graying gentleman with a worried look into the hospital lobby (Caption: Has been dreading this appointment. Fears he waited too long).  In an elevator an aging gentleman looks down and stares at the floor (Wife just had stroke.  Worried how he will take care of her.)  In an examination room a doctor in white lab coat gives an explanation to a lady looking up blankly from where she sits (Too shocked to comprehend treatment options).  Scene after scene unfolds with this conclusion, “If you could stand in someone else’s shoes…Hear what they hear.  See what they see.  Feel what they feel.  Would you treat them differently?”  (View video here)

  

The video makes me wonder how we might respond differently if we knew the stories of those who reach out to our church community.  I can imagine the captions of people as they walk through the doors, find a seat, and make awkward conversation: “Carrying the burden of a third divorce after another affair.”  “Suffering with lifelong depression.  Abused as a pre-teen.”  “In bondage to porn after discovering it as a child.”  “Hurting but detached.  Grew up in a controlling oppressive church.”  “Struggling with sexual identity. Father abandoned the family.”  “Self-inflicting pain in order to feel something.  Mother has a drug addiction.”

How do we respond?  Do we project aloof expectations and even condemnation that drive them away or do we provide gracious empathetic space for Christ to interact in their lives?   

In an out of the way place a despised woman of ethnicity shows up at the well carrying a water pot. (Caption: Has been divorced five times.  The man she is currently living with is not her husband).  Jesus is there alone resting.  He could ignore her or even dismiss her.  Instead He becomes indebted to her by asking a favor.  “Would you give me a drink of water?”  As it turns out she is thirsty too.  He offers sparkling, refreshing, redeeming water gushing fountains of endless life.

I have a mentor who when he encounters someone’s situation that makes him uncomfortable or offended prays, “God, help me to see this person not as repulsive, but as thirsty.”  It’s a prayerful perspective that reminds him of Jesus’ heart toward those who are oppressed.  It reminds us that they are looking for a safe relationship, for a home, for unconditional love and for hope.