“Can You Relate?” with Luke Smallbone

You can show compassion because every person is going through similar things with different circumstances.

I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.

– Ephesians 4:1-2 ESV

Brokenhearted over how he saw people treating each other, even inside the church, Luke Smallbone of for King & Country pondered what it meant to truly act like a Jesus follower today. For instance, what does it look like on social media to show compassion?

That is how the idea for the song, Relate, came about. Luke explained, “Even if I haven’t walked in your shoes, I see the pain in your eyes. I can relate because I’ve got pain in my life.”

You can relate to someone who you can see is struggling. You can let them know you are there with them.

I don’t know what it’s like to be you.
You don’t know what it’s like to be me.
What if we’re all the same in different kinds of ways?
Can you, can you relate?

Luke went on to explain how you might respond to someone going through something you have not, “You don’t have to walk through the same thing. I know what pain feels like, so I mourn with you. I grieve with you because it looks like you’ve gone through something really, really difficult.”

You can relate to someone who you can see is struggling. You can let them know you are there with them.

It is important not only to respond with compassion to someone who is hurting, but also to someone who has lashed out in anger at you. Compassion and grace go a long way in expressing that you have been in that place of pain too. If you can, lean in, listen and honestly say you are aware of the hurt, it can help to prevent the anger from escalating.

Today’s One Thing

Take a few minutes to pray before responding to someone who is hurt or angry. Ask God to show you how to express your concern and love for him, or her. Carefully choose your words as you respond to another human loved by God and created in His image.

Go Deeper

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