Sinners: Experience God’s Compassion in Your ShameSample

Advocating for People You Love with All You’ve Got

Do you have someone in your life who has defended your dreams? Some of us had coaches who saw our potential in a sport or hobby. They took us under their wings and showed us what could be possible. Some of us had a teacher or professor who pulled us aside and cast a vision for our academic future. Others of us had a parent or grandparent who championed our work long before we did anything noteworthy. Their advocacy got us where we are now.

The best advocates believe us and believe in us. They specialize in spreading hope, and they’re expert encouragers. Advocates rush to our side and defend our dreams when our confidence is low. They remind us of God’s Word, God’s timing, and God’s Son, Jesus. And they pray—with persistence, confidence, and faith. Advocates pray like all of heaven is listening and nothing will get in God’s way.

My best advocate is one of my besties, Jenn Jett Barrett. She’s on a mission to champion Christian leaders. Ask anyone in her orbit, and they’ll tell you they launched into serving Christ because of her prayer and support. Jenn describes her passion as dream defending because she believes our dreams are God-given.

Jenn Jett Barrett came to mind every time I revisited the centurion’s story in Luke 7 because they both advocate for the people they love with all they’ve got. Jenn advocates through a boutique gathering called The Well Summit, while the centurion advocated by leveraging his connections and recruiting his friend’s help to heal his servant. Notice with me all the intentional ways the centurion acted on his faith in Jesus to advocate for his servant:

• He had compassion on his servant’s condition. Compassion fatigue is rampant in our lives because we’ve lived through such perilous times, but staying vigilant and continuing to offer our compassion to others is the way of Christ.

• He leveraged all his connections and allies to benefit his sick servant.

• He created an interdependent network of relationships across cultural barriers. Although the Roman army and Jewish leaders were at odds culturally, the Roman centurion built bridges with perceived enemies to work toward the common good.

• He recognized that Jesus saves by the power of his word.

Like the centurion, caring advocates use their voices to speak life and advocate for justice. We’ve got to learn how to do so wisely, with truth and grace. But we shouldn’t focus so heavily on our own voices that we minimize the power of Jesus’ voice. Jesus says he is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). The Gospels show us repeatedly that Jesus’ words are powerful enough to calm the wind and the waves, heal, and save. When in doubt, advocate using the Word of God. Offer your support by passing along the words of Jesus. His words have unrivaled power.

Prayer: Dear God, Thank You for never leaving my side. Help me to believe that Your Son is always advocating for me. May that truth give the confidence to advocate for others. Amen.