I've recently felt lead to dive into the theme of mercy and to discover what it looks like. For in the passage of the Good Samaritan, a man is shown that his neighbor is the person who he has mercy on. The one that he helps physically, financially and emotionally after being beet up by robbers.
God requires mercy and not sacrifice. Further on we learn about a master who forgives his debtor an enormous amount of money, whereafter he states "Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave even as I had mercy on you". It is mercy that triumphs over judgement.
Therefore, I do not claim that I have it all figured out now, but I believe that God has shown me, through serving in this place and through these stories that:
- We have received much mercy from him and therefore we should show mercy. We are required to show mercy because of what we have received.
- Mercy wouldn't be mercy if it could be earned. It's not something that we can work for or obtain because we deserve it. Thus mercy is a gift that should activate us to pay it forward.
- Mercy is not weak. It takes the humble and courageous to step out in mercy. Humility is recognizing that everything that you have comes from God.
- Having mercy upon people is often costly. Having a strong mindset often prevent us from being moved by compassion, and in turn responding in mercy towards people becomes impossible. Hardened hearts prevent us from loving our neighbors.
- Mercy triumphs over judgement. Always - so therefore instead of jumping to judgements about people, we should consider the victory that mercy offers.
In conclusion, I've been so moved by the hospitality, warm hearts, inviting spirits, generous atmosphere and kind gestures in this place, I've realized how merciful people have been toward the team and I. I've been shown much mercy here and for this I praise God! My prayer is that this will transform my heart to enable me to do likewise.
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