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| My Quiet Place |
Mercy
Mercy replaces the strife for what we do not have with contentment and the strife to keep what we do have with generosity. Anytime I give to someone else, I often think it is an act mercy. Mercy; however, is giving beyond reason, justice, and expectation. Giving goes above and beyond what we are supposed to do or what the other person anticipates us to do. Mercy does not make sense. It is unjust in the best way. Mercy is Jesus taking the punishment that we deserved. Just because someone is not greedy does not mean they are merciful. Mercy is an active pursuit to give generously. Mercy does not sit back in contentment but loves open handedly. Since mercy gives beyond reason mercy actively does good to friends and foes. In my past dealings with my enemies, I have simply ignored them. I have not been mean to them or spoken any unkind words to them. At the same time, I have not intentionally done good for them or spoken life into them. Mercy is not passive, but active!
In the story of Les Miserables, Victor Hugo paints the perfect picture of mercy. When Madame Magloire reports to the bishop that Jean Valjean, whom the bishop offered shelter, had stolen his silver, the bishop responded with, “Now first, did this silver belong to us?”. The bishop realized that what he owns is not really his, but the poors! The bishop could have easily let Jean Valjean run off with the silverware he had stolen and be content that he had given to the poor, but the bishop goes a step further. He tells Valjean, “I gave you the candlesticks, too”. The bishop gave beyond reason and beyond justice. Mercy does not make sense! Extending mercy, especially to our enemies, is how Christians stand apart in a greedy world. Mercy points to Christ.
❊The Challenge❊
Make a plan to DO something or SAY something for someone else, even someone who treats you terribly. Mercy is active.
The Girl Next Door
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