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Convenience often asks, "What's easiest?" while compassion asks, "What's best?" The unbearable truth is that human life has come down to these abstract ways of thinking. When a woman shares that she has an unplanned pregnancy, the overwhelming response is to “get rid of it” because having a baby is hard. There’s a disturbing lack of wondering what would be best for this woman and her baby. 

Compassion, especially regarding life decisions, should always outweigh convenience. We must be better at recognizing people can handle difficulties, inconveniences, and challenges. God made us that way so that we would remain faithful to Him and lean into Him in our hardest times. 

Convenience Culture: Why Ease Isn't Always Best

The current cultural emphasis remains on convenience and comfort. It’s been easy to settle into the concept because we have myriad conveniences at our fingertips. Instead: Other people can shop, drive, and clean for us. We have instant food, instant entertainment, and instant access to our friends and strangers through social media. We can watch church online from home. The new generation of the American workforce prioritizes convenience and comfort in their work. They’re not interested in going to a place of employment because the option to work from home has become a promoted job perk. Technology not only makes this possible, it has also been the sector that provides the most work-from-home jobs.

These conveniences and comforts can be great, but the common factor that becomes missing is human connection, and when a genuine connection goes missing from humanity, what’s left? We become self-centered, self-indulgent, and self-righteous. This is not God’s design for us and we’ve seen the continued fall of humanity because of our self-indulgence and self-righteousness. We don't care. Our apathy encourages others to feel the same.

Compassion as a Countercultural Choice

Compassion means embracing the care of others, even when it’s difficult. Could this mean that we choose convenience and encourage others to do the same because we fear accountability? Does encouraging a pregnant friend to keep her child also put us on the hook for the baby's care and well-being? Do we have some responsibility to be there for her as she navigates pregnancy and parenting? Are we willing? 

True compassion requires courage, sacrifice, and deep reflection. Compassion requires that we be ready to show up when others need us. It holds a special place of contemplation in our hearts. It’s an expectation to leave our own little world and venture into one of chaos so that someone else doesn’t feel alone. 

The parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37 demonstrates what compassion should look like: loving our neighbor, not walking on the other side of the road to avoid their needs. 

When our brothers and sisters in Christ are down, we must lift them up.

Compassion in Unplanned Pregnancy

Convenience often leads to viewing abortion as an "easy solution" and often by people who have never had one. When we enjoy distance from an issue, it’s easier to offer counterfeit solutions. Ending a pregnancy doesn't make life easier for women. It does the opposite, bringing physical pain, a lifetime of mental anguish, depression, and lingering guilt, along with difficulty in future relationships.

ICU Mobile meets women where convenience culture pressures them into quick decisions, offering compassionate alternatives instead. Our affiliate pregnancy centers drive our mobile pregnancy ultrasound units into communities where women need us most. As they continue their daily routines with the agony of uncertainty on their minds, we’re there with a safe space, a calm conversation, and life-affirming guidance. Near abortion clinics, we reach out to women considering abortion, hoping to change their minds. Often, we intercede only moments before she follows through on a deadly choice. We are committed to being there for her when no one else is. 

Why Compassion Matters: The Ripple Effect

Compassionate people benefit babies, mothers, fathers, families, and communities. Imagine this: The initial reaction to an unplanned pregnancy is, "I'm here to help." What if we offer to be there for them every step of the way? 

More people, and our communities, would enjoy long-term benefits like better emotional health, strengthened families, healed relationships, and societal positivity.

Compassion aligns us with God’s heart and shows His love in tangible ways. 

Reflection and Action

How are you living right now? Are you prioritizing convenience over compassion? 

Two questions can help you determine the direction of your life:

"Am I prioritizing ease over people?"

"How can I show up for others that will have a positive impact from my presence?"

Convenience might simplify the current situation, but compassion transforms lives.

Your compassionate choices genuinely matter and they not only offer positive impact to others, but also leads to a much more fulfilling life for you.