In the book Kisses from Katie, Katie Davis recounts the
joy of moving to Uganda and adopting several Ugandan girls. One day, one of her
daughters asked, “Mommy, if I let Jesus come into my heart, will I explode?” At
first, Katie said no. When Jesus enters our heart, it is a spiritual event.
However, after she thought more about the question, Katie explained that
when we decide to give our lives and hearts to Jesus “we will explode with
love, with compassion, with hurt for those who are hurting, and with joy for
those who rejoice.” In essence, knowing Christ results in a deep care for the
people in our world.
The Bible challenges us to “rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep
with those who weep” (Rom. 12:15). We can consistently display this loving
response because of the Holy Spirit’s work in our hearts. When we receive
Christ, the Holy Spirit comes to live inside us. The apostle Paul described it
this way, “Having believed [in Christ,] you were sealed with the Holy Spirit”
(Eph. 1:13).
Caring for others—with God’s supernatural assistance—shows the world that we are His followers (John 13:35). It also reminds us of His love for us. Jesus said, “As I have loved you, ... you also love one another” (v.34).
