Students should be steadfast in compassion

In all honesty, we are all guilty of it.

Every natural disaster, national crisis, humanitarian violation, we feel it.

The righteous anger, the cry for justice, the desire to make a difference. It pours forth in our conversation, our donations, our want to help.

And then what?

Well, practically speaking, what happens next is the news cycle continues, celebrities vie for attention, and the media looks for the next current trend, story, or action to keep the public up to date on.

But what about them?

They all keep struggling while our giving sputters to a halt, our minds are directed elsewhere, and we subconsciously await the next activist trend that comes our way.

I get it: it’s really hard to care for everything at once when there is so much demanding our attention and we are creatures with limited time and resources. Even staying up to date with multiple hurricanes, wild fires, and earthquakes can be too much to handle, let alone finding ways to help, reach, and attend to those in need.

So what can we do?

Honestly, I’m not sure there is a perfect answer here, and if there is, I definitely don’t know it. But I believe it to be a very important piece to keep on our hearts. Don’t allow your interest in people to fade away with the news coverage. Remember that they’re humans too, and often humans that need any ounce of your assistance.

It’s in our humanity, and in many cases our Christianity, that we help those in need and desperation. If you can’t serve a mission, could you find a charity to help? If you don’t have the money, could you spare some clothes? If you don’t have clothes to give, could you dedicate yourself to prayer? Could you keep them in mind for longer than a week?

Probably.

The world is crying out to us everyday. Whether it be in the tropical storm season in the Gulf or in the unforeseen tragedies like the mass shooting in Vegas, do not grow numb. This week, blood will still be needed by hospitals in Nevada. Next month, Texas will still be recovering. Next year, Puerto Rico will still be rebuilding.

I implore you, Vanguard, to allow yourselves to be invested, drained, and filled up again through your generosity. The devotion of your mere time to an issue can make a great difference. By acknowledging the persistent and demanding nature of these tragedies, we can find support in enduring with them through the process, caring for them through the heartache, and providing for them in any way possible.

It is when we allow ourselves to be empty that we make room for other’s to bless us. Imagine the capabilities for us to bless other’s when we keep them in our hearts and minds passed their moment with the media’s attention. When we push into our compassion and our resources, we inspire others to do the same. It is within our power to make an impact on those in need and to encourage others to do the same.

So when the hashtag is no longer trending, or the profile picture overlay has faded away, or the story is no longer plastered across the front page of every news outlet, remember them and their story. And remember that you too have the power to make the difference.