Authentic Connections

Dalat’s Relationship Student Outcome Statement (SOS): 
Dalat students connect authentically by treating others with empathy and Christ-like love.

As we wrap up our year of reconnecting, we focus on some important actions for connecting with others. Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. It requires us to truly listen to others, seeking to understand them and their perspective on the world. We feel sad with others who are going through difficult times, and we celebrate with those who are joyful.

Christ-like love takes this a step further and puts that empathy into action. The “Golden Rule” famously tells us to treat others as we would like to be treated. This is stated in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible in different ways. (Leviticus 19:18, Matthew 7:12). One of the most famous stories in the Bible is the parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). In this story, Jesus emphasized the need to treat even those we consider our enemies with deliberate and sacrificial kindness.

Jesus took this a step further as he was training his disciples. “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:12-13). Jesus commands his followers not only to treat others as they would like to be treated but to treat others as He treats them. Jesus went so far in his love for others that he was willing to be punished and killed in the place of others.

Empathy and love are fairly common words in today’s culture and many people claim to value them. However, that’s not always reflected in the actions of others. Treating others with empathy and Christ-like love requires us to sacrifice something of ourselves. Think about your friendships and relationships. Try practicing active listening by concentrating fully on what someone is saying, both verbally and non-verbally. Think of ways you can demonstrate sacrificial kindness to someone, whether it’s giving up your time, comfort, schedule, or something else.

As we seek to reconnect and rebuild relationships, remember that Christ-like love requires us to persevere through challenges as we willingly give of ourselves in the service of others.