For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. – Heb 4:15
It was about half a decade ago when a close friend travelled to the West in pursuit of higher education and better opportunities. The positive excitement I felt for them was tainted by a tinge of green envy (but that is a story for another day). Everything was going perfectly for them, or at least so I thought and I looked forward to my own exodus. Days turned into weeks, months and finally years and the story began to unfold.
Yaa, as we will call this friend of mine, seemed to be going through the blues and I could not quite understand what there was to be blue about living in the West, specifically the United States. Public transport worked, you got paid in much-coveted dollars, you travelled during vacations to all sorts of exotic places, you ate pizza, etc. How could that be depressing or not want God wanted for you? (Your best life now?) On most of the infrequent occasions we spoke, I could pick up exhaustion in her voice, a sense of bewilderment and a longing for home. Maybe her heart was elsewhere and Ghana was truly home.
Did all the “boggers” lie? Wasn’t the grass entirely green and the sun golden beyond the airspace of Accra, Ghana where my home was? In 2017, nearly a decade later, I made my own exodus to a different western country to pursue higher education and whatever opportunities that might bring. It was here that I began to grapple with the stark realities I lived vicariously nearly a decade ago through my friend. She wasn’t kidding and the stories that had been told were only half true. This isn’t a lament, so I urge you to read on. While I pondered these things I read something in the Bible and this experience put it in perspective for me.
It was on the cold wintry morning of January 12th, 2017 as I read from Hebrews 4:12-16 that all this began to really sink in. In verse 15, quoted above, the Scripture says that we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weakness because he has been tempted in every way, just as we are but did not sin. It all started to make sense. I could empathize afresh with my friend and with every other person, known or unknown who had made this journey. Although ipso facto, it made real, practical sense to me.
So Jesus understands when an impure sight captures my attention and consequently my imagination? He understands that great physique and skimpy clothing can create a problem? He knows that telling that white lie or bragging is something that is easy to do? He knows when power, fame and money tug at my heart and I respond? The answer? A resounding yes!
While those thoughts did not blow my winter blues or new reality away, they gave me a new perspective. We can can come frankly to Jesus and tell Him about all those things that we are failing at (I know mine and you know yours). We can in fact have an open discussion with Him and He truly understands. There is no need to hide. And because He knows and understand, He can better help us. The thought was so comforting. He had walked this earth too!
But, for me, there is another side to the story and that is to be able to help others who might be on that same path. What have you walked through that Jesus has helped you through? You have empathy that others who have not walked your path cannot have. They have vicarious empathy but you have tangible, real, lived and experienced empathy. Just as Jesus empathizes with us, let Him work through you so that empathy brings hope, strength and ultimately His healing to others.
It’s a long road ahead of me through winter and some more seasons until I graduate but life for you and others (particularly younger) believers is longer than my studies. Let’s come boldly to Him remembering that He is not speaking from a place of “theory” but from a place of experience. He understands and can empower us and He can empower us to empathize with and be a channel of blessing to others.
Which experience are you wasting?
Article by Sidney Nii Sai Schandorf