Grounded and Graveled Compassion

Fasting. It’s a very basic venture for some people, but for others, it’s a difficult walk filled with trials down the road. Literally. 

At the beginning of my time here on AIM campus in Gainesville, a squad leader told me something in my life that had never been brought to life. He pulled me aside and explained how he wanted to pour into me and give me feedback in regards to where my life was going. He was very direct and confident in what the Lord had put on his heart to say. He told me, paraphrased, “Gabe, you have a lot of strength and will power that you are growing in, and the world will applaud such qualities.” He said, “And you have a big heart and a lot of compassion for others as well. Don’t allow your strength and will power to cover/dominate the compassion that you have for others.” 

I took what he said and handed it to the Lord in prayer, and that is when I felt convicted to fast from my shoes for three days. I decided to do this for three very basic reasons. The first reason was to grow deeper in relationship with God, renewing my focus to him every time I wanted to put a pair of shoes on. The second was to focus on my compassion and empathy for others, and where the Lord wanted me to see it was being drowned out. The third was to solely be faithful to what the Holy Spirit had convicted me to do, even though it seemed more like insanity than faith. I got plenty of sarcasm from others on the squad, and this was truly a test in itself. 

What I learned about / how to do in my relationship with God in specific was surrender and focus. Let me tell you all, traversing multiple gravel lots every few minutes across the entire day with no shoes on, is NOT comfortable. Every time a rock came jarring out of the ground and rolled on my heel right when I stepped on it, I truly had to continuously surrender my desire for comfort to the Lord. Without fail, every single time. As I continued to do this I was also focusing on how walking in peace with God is not like walking in the world; I must surrender my comfort to serve where it may not be preferred or safe.  

Empathy is not safe. In order to be truly empathetic you must be vulnerable and show compassion to whoever it is you wish to comfort or connect with. In a vast majority of situations this also requires understanding. I began to desire the ability to truly understand people I may potentially minister to within my lifetime. Specifically those who have never had a pair of shoes. I won’t go into detail to avoid writing a novel, however I absolutely have new perspective and renewed sense of compassion and understanding towards those who have never owned a single pair of shoes. Maybe one day I will be able to bless an encounter with a new pair of shoes. 

To be faithful to what the Holy Spirit convicted me to do. This was much harder than it sounds, to “simply” not wear shoes for three days. It was difficult because of the sarcasm I received most times I passed one of my squad mates. The parking lots with large gravel made my feet sore and caused a lot of pain, not to mention the load of a backpack I carry every single day to every destination. Through this, the spirit further instilled in me the fact that it is very much about the journey between milestones and not just getting there as fast as you can. Every rock I stepped on renewed my focus; “Jesus walked bare and beaten up a hill twice this size, with a crown of thorns and carrying a cross.” So I considered it joy to persist, and it is my prayer that I will continue to do so. 

As usual, I challenge you to do the same. How can you renew your focus and grow deeper, deepen your compassion for others through christ, and be more faithful to what the Holy Spirit has lead you to do?