Relentless EmpathySample

EMPOWER!

Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

Hebrews 10:24

The first action step of the Relentless Empathy C.U.R.E. process is to connect with other people. The second action step of the process is to understand people. The third action step is to relate with other people. The fourth and final action step of the Relentless Empathy C.U.R.E. process is to empower people.

The word empower literally means power has been given or granted to someone. If we have some power given to us, then we can empower someone else. Relentless empathy is accumulating as much power as you can in order to give away as much power as you can for the benefit of others. John Wesley once said, “Earn all you can; save all you can; give all you can.” That is what biblical empowerment is all about. The world teaches titles, status, and power are accumulated for personal development. The Bible, on the other hand, teaches that personal development comes from giving your power away. Jesus taught we should seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. What result will this bring? All these things, including power, will be added to you. Solomon asked for wisdom to lead, which God granted and included “all these things.” If we view the resources entrusted to us by God as an asset to empower others, we are empathizing! Anything else is aggrandizing—bragging or indulging in what God has entrusted to us.

There are three secrets for accumulating Kingdom power through the Holy Spirit. We find these secrets in one of the lesser-known characters in the Bible, a man named Shamgar. In fact, all we know about Shamgar is contained in a single Bible verse: “After Ehud came Shamgar son of Anath, who struck down 600 Philistines with an oxgoad. He too saved Israel.” (Judges 3:31). What in the world does this story have to do with empathy? A lot! Empathy is not just putting on another’s shoes; true empathy is losing your life to save the life of another. Shamgar risked his life to save his country. Shamgar’s virtual anonymity suggests he lacked prestige, influence, fame, or wealth. His story demonstrates that God specializes in filling “nobodies” with His power to empower others. So, what can we learn from Shamgar's legacy?

The first secret is to show up.

The second secret is to use what you have.

The third secret is to do something.

When Old Testament men and women “showed up,” God often did the rest. They were obedient and faithful to follow God’s leading. They got their body into the right place. Along with the willingness to show up was the resourcefulness to use what they had available. Shamgar had an oxgoad. Moses had a staff. David had a sling. Use what you have, and God will move in and through you!

The final secret is to do something—get moving! We all know you can’t steer a boat that is not moving. It will simply drift wherever the wind and waves take it. As we listen to God’s direction, show up, use what we have, and get to work, God will work. The Apostle Paul tells us this in Philippians 2:13: “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.”

This last and greatest act of empathy is to empower another person- To use my power so others can experience the freedom and abundant life promised by Jesus. In 2 Corinthians 12:9, Jesus reminded the Apostle Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Jesus wants us to have the faith to show up with whatever we can bring and begin to do what we can. He will do the rest.

Over the past eight days, we have explored practical ways to develop relentless empathy. I hope and pray that you will continue to cultivate these skills in your life.

This plan was developed from Dr. Brian Pikalow's book Relentless Empathy. If you would like to learn more about Relentless Empathy, please visit relentlessempathy.org.

Reflection:

What are the most impactful lessons you have learned from this study of relentless empathy?

What next step can you take to cultivate a relentless attitude about empathy?

Is there someone you know who would benefit from reading the Relentless Empathy plan? If so, please consider sharing this plan with them.