Mercy.
There are words that are essential to life as a Christian. Mercy is one of those words. It’s not a word that is part of the culture. It’s certainly not as drenched in the make-up of society as it’s a pivotal part of the journey of those who have acknowledged Jesus as Lord and understand that there is a God.
Let's delve into the essence of 'mercy' - the moment when we're spared from the consequences we rightfully deserve. It's when the impending disaster is averted, when another absorbs the wrath, and when the catastrophe is not experienced.
Taking a step back and understanding what we should have received for the nature and behaviour. Considering how good we think we are and how many good things we’ve done, it is not enough to do anything to the scales of justice. And despite that, God still saw it fit to send the rain and the sun to ensure crops grew and budded. God didn’t withhold the supplies necessary to exist another day. God didn’t wipe us off the planet.
Look at how the accidents that could have happened didn’t occur. Appreciate that however challenging things are, it would have been immensely worse to endure them without the faithful commitment of the Creator of the universe.
Exploring the range of mercies experienced every day understandably leads to praise and thanksgiving. Thank you for those mercies, Father. Even as I may refer to some of them as ‘small’ mercies, they are another expression of your consideration and care, of your unchanging character full of mercy. Thank you for them even as I blithely overlook them and get upset about something trivial on the larger scale of things. Thank you for them, even when I feel overwhelmed with life's challenges. Thank you for the presence of these mercies whether I see them or not because your merciful character reminds me from time to time that they are there.
Then there’s not just the expression of thanks; there’s also the capacity to express that character to others. No, there’s no need to give them a piece of my mind even if they have wronged me. No, there’s no need to harbour the grievance even if it significantly inconvenienced me. Rather than those things, the mercies I’ve seen and absorbed enable me to extend that to others. The mercies that I experience and that enrich me can flow over into relieving me from the bitterness and resentment that go with lacking mercy to others. I don’t have to carry that. As mercy lightens my load, I can keep it light by giving that mercy where the opportunity allows. And I don’t do that as if I can pat myself on the back for greatness. No. I do it with a sense of further overwhelming gratitude to Jesus, who displayed what it was to be blessed and merciful. He is so merciful to me. I am so grateful for that. Any way I can operate in a way that reflects that it is an honour and privilege to be that vessel for His character.
It’s worth revisiting that word in the journey regularly and seeing what a merciful God we serve.
For His Name's Sake
C. L. J. Dryden
Shalom