Compassion & Mission

Studies Show an Increase After Near-Death Experiences

(Memorials are common along the rocky shorelines of O’ahu)

Some studies show that people tend to increase their compassion for other people after a near-death experience. Frankly, I didn’t think that this was possible in my case. I already have a huge affinity for people. My spiritual gifts assessments have always been 50% leadership and 50% mercy. And in my past relationships/younger years, I often showed too much mercy by not setting boundaries. I have corrected that, of course, but the heart is still there. I work in social services and my heart has always been for people. I attend multiple meetings a month, and they are all about…helping people.

I have learned, to my chagrin, that I cannot rescue people. Not only is it not good for my own mental health, it is certainly not the best for them either. And most of the time, it is very ineffective, for a good reason.

So my responses to certain situations after my NDE have surprised me. For instance, when hubby commented about the homeless tents here in Oregon, I immediately thought, “I wonder how many of them didn’t even get dinner tonight?”

At church a couple of weeks ago, we met a new young lady behind us attending college in the area. I immediately invited her to sit in our row so she didn't have to be by herself. I invited her to a women’s event coming up. And my heart hurt when I saw a disabled car on the side of the busy highway and a gentleman walking to get help. There was no way for us to safely stop or even turn around but I was so sad that he didn’t seem to realize that he picked the wrong direction to walk. There was nothing for a couple of miles ahead of him.

There are times I now regret a lack of compassion on my part. Whether I was very busy, questioning what I saw or afraid of consequences if I spoke up/helped out, those are all horrid excuses. In my research on NDE’s, I’ve even heard stories of people meeting others they have helped in heaven.

And the King will answer them, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” - Matthew 24:40 (CSB)

I have friends on Facebook who post about meeting people’s direct needs. Chaplain Bob O meets up with people frequently and they sometimes call him for prayer or to be at the bedside of a loved one. I love how he posts each story, adds a selfie with them and always asks, “why this story today?” as he includes the significance. But it is not lost on me when he also posts that a friend called and prayed for him - for his self-care and ministry. Or when he is having a down day and needs someone to uphold him a bit.

Another friend, Pam K, is out there ministering to the houseless directly. I love her stories too. They are all miracles. Recently a gal sat on a curb looking at an ad for Sketchers shoes. She lamented to Pam that she needed new shoes and these were the right ones. Well, guess what Pam had in her trunk? Those same shoes. They needed to be returned to the store, but they fit this lady exactly. In another story she relates, people expressed thirst. She had Gatorade in her trunk and met that need. In addition, she stocks up on Burger King or Mac gift cards and provides a small meal for each person she meets. She carries prayer cards with a Bible verse and gives them out as well, answering any questions they might have and yet respecting them if they want nothing to do with scripture or God.

God will use us, if only we are willing.

I sometimes feel I don’t have enough to give and I’ve heard this from others as well. “Help someone else? I’m barely making enough to pay for my own expenses,” some say. But the people God calls you to help might not even need money. It may be the gift of your time, a listening ear, a prayer, a referral to resources, or a friend. It may be connection - so they don’t feel so alone in the world. It may be pointing them to Jesus, who loves them unconditionally.

Is He pointing you to someone who has less than you in some way, shape, or form? Someone who needs you? Someday, He may say, “What have you done with the life I gave you?”

I did not have a “life review” when I went to heaven but we do know that judgment occurs and other NDE accounts from friends tell us they were reviewed. During these reviews, all the good things they did and the people they helped also flashed by as part of their lives. And they felt God’s approval and passion for their work for the “least of these.”