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Donkey Business - Part 3

"People don't care about how much you know, until they know how much you care!"

Jesus entered into Jerusalem riding on a donkey's colt - only Jesus could have ridden on a donkey which had not been 'broken.' I am writing this at the beginning of the week we call "The Passion week," in which we see Jesus demonstrating the greatest aspect of His character - love. His passion for us motivated Him towards the greatest sacrifice; to lay down His life for His friends.

Recently I heard this from a friend, "Why don't I care about co-workers and customers any more?" One of the greatest problems in relating to other people these days is the emotional energy it costs to love those at work. The reason may be "compassion fatigue," a phrase coined by research workers, which is a cousin of burnout. It means you've grown tired of caring. You don't have anything left over for anyone else. Academic research indicates the following five top symptoms.

  • Too many hours at work - 'quantitative role overload'
  • Working for an unpleasant boss
  • Performing work that requires skills you don't currently have
  • Performing work that requires you to deal with other people's problems
  • A mismatch of your values with the organization's value
    (Academy of Management review, 18; 4 pages 621-636)

And the results of this emotional drain according to the study?

  • A withdrawal from people around us
  • Reduction of time spent interacting with people
  • Less tolerance for difficult people
  • Experiencing more moodiness and impatience
  • Less merciful
  • Indifference

Jesus demonstrated a passion for people. He felt compassionate towards the crowds that came, because their problems were so great and they didn't know where to go for help. They were like sheep without a shepherd. He said to His disciples. "The harvest is so great, but the workers are so few. So ask the Lord who is in charge of the harvest to send out more workers for his fields." (Matthew 9:36-38).

So how can I get this same passion for people which Jesus had? By tying your donkey to the Vine! Parking your donkey, your business, your assets, your career, that which you rely on to take you where you want to go to the true Vine, and allowing the life of the Vine to produce a harvest of fruit - the first of which will be love and compassion. This interesting description was given to Judah, one of the twelve sons of Jacob, and forefather of David and of Jesus. "He will tether his donkey to a vine, his colt to the choicest branch …" Genesis 49:11. More next week!

Peter Briscoe

Peter J. Briscoe, currently serving as European Regional Director for CBMC International and Europartners. He lives in Leiden, The Netherlands.

 

 

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