It does not have to be a story about a hero with superhuman capabilities. Sometimes the story follows a doctor, nurse, or first responder as they fight against the unexpected. A soldier or police officer saves a life, or a schoolteacher captures the mind of a child on which everyone else had given up. Whether supernatural or every day, every superhero story has a common theme. A need arises right in front of the hero, and the hero responds to meet that need.

How many times do we read stories or hear testimonies of fellow believers who have experienced God working through them in phenomenal ways and wish we could be that kind of hero?

Whether it is stories from Scripture about Jesus and the apostles, stories from the mission field, or even stories shared about how God is working right here in Arkansas, we marvel at the way others seem to know how to serve God.

Fortunately for us, we have everything we need to make that wish come true. Jesus showed us the answer through His own life. He went where the normal, everyday people were. He went to their towns and villages. He taught in their synagogues. Most of all, He saw them.

That verb saw is the key. Jesus interacted with the people around Him as they went about their everyday lives, and in the process, He truly saw them. He saw them for who they really were and felt compassion for them. Then He acted on that compassion.

As you hear stories about God’s work through medical and dental clinics in Arkansas, it is easy to think of the people involved as superheroes who have an extra special sense to help them know how to be in the right place and do the right thing to accomplish God’s mighty works. But the truth is that they are people just like you and me. The only difference is that they recognize the power of the Holy Spirit within them to see like Jesus saw and respond as He did.

The greatest heroes are not those who are more talented or stronger or wealthier or any other form of “better.” They are, instead, those who see the needs, choose the compassion of Christ, and act.

Sometimes we need a little nudge to help us learn how to see.

Participating in medical and dental clinics or Acts 1:8 One Day Missions Experiences, volunteering in pregnancy or job corps centers, or engaging in other such ministries can teach us how to see the needs right in front of us. Then we can take that vision back to our own towns and churches. But the key is not just the vision. It is what we do with that vision. Seeing the people and putting compassion in action just like Jesus. If we see the needs but do not act, we will never see lives changed or the Kingdom of God expanded.

This year’s Dixie Jackson Arkansas Missions testimonies show how participation in organized events throughout the state can help us see needs, feel the compassion of Christ, and act on that compassion.

See the vision? Are you ready to be a part of showing Compassion in Action?