Goal: To understand your role in the change, healing and growth processes of your “neighbors.”

The third and final part of the “66% – 33% Solution is just that, it’s a “Solution,” and allow me to explain what I mean by this term. In Part One, we identified among the many gifts we receive from God is the gift of our Conscience, which helps us to know and understand the character and true meaning of His love for and to us, as we remain in “conscious contact” with God.  

In Part Two, we exercise the gift of Choice, by choosing to open up to, receive, integrate and personally benefit from the love of God as we know God, and the attributes of His character (Love, Peace, Esteem, Patience, Favor, Kindness, Prize, Goodness, Acceptance, Self-Control and Devotion to name a few). 

In Part Three, we reflect, express, and demonstrate the Love of God we’ve come to know, live by and benefit from in all our affairs with others (our “Neighbors”) no matter the location or circumstance of how we meet them.  In reading the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10: 27 – 37), which is what the “66% – 33% Solution” is based upon, I’d like to suggest the greatest gift we could choose to deliver to others based upon our conscious connection with God is Compassion, which if applied wisely is a behavioral solution to many of the ills mankind will encounter.  Again, allow me to explain.

Our English word “Compassion” comes from the Greek word Splanchnon. Splanchnon is also the medical term for the Viscera, or the “trunk” of the human body (photo below, and click here for more information). The Ancient Greeks thought your Viscera (which contains your internal organs such as your heart, stomach, liver, kidneys, intestines, reproductive system, etc.) is where your Visceral emotions (course, base, earthy or crude emotions, like suffering, but also where anger, fear, and love) were thought to originate. So where am I going with this interdisciplinary lesson?

Well, one of the takeaways for me is if the “heart” (biological and/or emotional) is hurting, grieving, traumatized or misunderstood, then the appropriate response is Compassion. When this vital part of ourselves or of others is exposed (their emotions or our viscera), we’re encouraged to demonstrate a sensitive, merciful, empathetic, and compassionate response, which is just what the Good Samaritan did with the person who was attacked and left to die on the side of the road.  

It’s interesting that no one needed to tell the Good Samaritan what to do when he observed someone who was hurt. He saw a hurt man, he felt pity, he approached the person in pain, and he creatively used his resources in the crisis moment to alleviate pain. He used his strength to get the man to a safe place and most importantly, he took care of him.  He gave freely and generously for the care of the wounded person, and he promised to render additional assistance later to ensure the patient’s progress was effective and complete.

Because of his conscious contact with His God and the spiritual values he chose to live by, he understood the situation, what was needed in the situation, and he acted, and acted, and acted, until the need was met.  When he saw the problem, he wisely created and delivered a solution to the problem. 

Of note, when Splanchnon appears in other scriptural passages, we see that it led Jesus to demonstrate compassion to others, by feeding, healing, and providing care for the physical need(s) of others. By the way, Wisdom (The Greek word is Sophia) is not a throw away word here. By application it means using the best of your thinking to assess the situation or circumstance at hand, then devise and implement a feasible plan to achieve the best of all outcomes where compassion is effected, especially if “enemies” are involved!.  

“We love because He first loved us” – I John 4:19 (TNIV)

So in closing this 3-part post, the 66% – 33% Solution invites us to consciously reflect and keep in mind what the love from God looks like (the first 33%), then based on our personal experience of being and growing in love (the second 33%), choose to implement the appropriate attribute (Mercy, Empathy, Understanding and Compassion; the third 33% ) in our daily affairs with others, no matter the person, location, situation or circumstance, compassionately! 

And who is my neighbor?

Suggested Activity: Where, and in what way is your conscience leading you to demonstrate love in a compassionate manner, because your actions will facilitate healing outcomes in the viscera (body, soul and spirit) of another?  Remember, your neighbors are always the people who are in closest proximity to you, so if the situation arises, feel free to choose to engage in compassionate activity to alleviate the suffering of those on the other side of your home, city or world!). 

If you’re open, check out this article: “52 Acts of kindness: How to spread joy in every week of 2023” for positive ideas to engage in compassionate behavior. Finally, for more ideas, sign up to receive insights and a monthly calendar of suggestions from the Greater Good Science Center, whose Greater Good Online Magazine exists to “turn scientific research into stories, tips and tools for a happier life and a more compassionate society.”  

Skill to develop: The ability to deliver compassionate responses effortlessly to effect healing in others.

Next: “Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts” or return to the Table of Contents.

Thanks for reading this excerpt from Cultivating Love: Wisdom for Life. As time permits, please visit the other blogs written by Dr. Ken McGill: Daily Bread for Life and “3–2–5–4–24″ for additional information that could be helpful.