Articles
Companion, communication, and compassion
These three words are kin. Companion, communication, and compassion. All three have something to do with relationships.
The word companion is a compound word meaning “mess-mate.” One with whom you share bread. One with whom you share life. Think of that in marriage. God saw that man was alone and needed a helper. He needed a companion. He needed one with whom he could share life. It was not good for him to be alone. The purpose of marriage is companionship. Also, consider the local church. God knew that, as individual Christians, we need other Christians. He knew we needed others with whom we could share in His work. We needed “fellow laborers.” Paul had Silas. He had Timothy. He had Epaphroditus. He had Aquilla and Priscilla. He had the churches in Antioch and Jerusalem. The local church provides the relationship we need with people to share life.
Second, communication is not just "telling" someone something, and simply hearing what is "said" is not necessarily communication. People may talk to one another and never communicate. The word communicate comes from the word “communicare.” It means “to impart, share, lit., to make common.” Communicate implies making common to all the information one presently possesses. Therefore, communication is sharing information. Do you see the connection with companion? A companion is one with whom we share life. To communicate means to share, to make common, information. I like the root word “communicare”; one with whom you share care. Communication is sharing our concern and care with another. It is making common our needs and desires. Communication helps cultivate companionship.
Third is the word compassion. Compassion comes from the compound, “with feeling.” The emphasis is on the “with”, not the “feeling.” Companions share life because they are “with” feelers. The means by which that “with feeling” is expressed is through communication. We make our feelings known so another can share “with” us. Compassion is the feeling that arises when we are confronted with another's suffering. We are moved to feel “with” them to relieve that suffering. Think of all those who Jesus healed and taught. Think how many times it is said He was moved with compassion. Jesus was the “with” feeler. He had compassion on people that others did not notice. He had compassion with people that others would not touch. He had compassion with those who suffered the loss of a loved one. His miracles not only confirmed who He was but that He was a “with” feeler with His creation. As our High Priest, He is touched with our weakness and temptations. Compassion alludes to kindness and sympathy.
We all need a companion with whom we can communicate and share compassion. We all need helpers. Sometimes that is a mate in marriage. Sometimes that is being part of a local church. Sometimes that is being part of a family. Helpers communicate and are compassionate.
Rickie Jenkins
