So, Chara, our doggie, surprisedly passed her Canine Good Citizen Test recently and now will be a Canine for Christ! Ben and I didn’t have 100% confidence that she could pass. I texted my husband from the test site saying that Chara was being an absolute toad. Maybe it was the full moon? Maybe not.
Ben was shocked when we came home, and I presented him Chara’s blue ribbon. He asked if she received a “mercy pass.” Thankfully, it was for real.
What is the meaning of mercy? Mercy is a gift given to someone who is suffering by someone acting with compassion. “According to the dictionary, mercy is a noun. It’s an event to be grateful for. It’s the compassion or forgiveness shown to someone. It is a noun in action.” (Compassion, Defining and Understanding the Meaning of Mercy)
Throughout the Bible, we see how mercy relates to forgiveness or withholding punishment. Where did mercy come from? Of course, God! God the Father showed his mercy on us when he sacrificed His son, Jesus, on the cross to pay for our sins.
God is merciful and shows mercy, and we can follow! Mercy is subtle but you know it when you receive it. Let’s say you’re at a restaurant and received a bad version of a meal. Our natural tendency might be to go to the waiter or manager and let them know in a not-so-nice way how your meal came up short. If you showed mercy, you might not complain at all or you would be super kind and forgiving as you spoke to the manager.
You might show mercy by serving in a homeless shelter, giving finances to help children in need, or working alongside those who have been trafficked or abused. Showing God’s mercy gets us out of ourselves, our ruts, and our focus on ourselves.
Who is our model? Look to the Gospels and notice how Jesus showed mercy by choosing to love rather than condemn. Wouldn’t this world be such a better place if we’d refrain from condemning or judging others? Over and over Jesus showed compassion and mercy to those who offended and wronged Him. Mercy triumphs over judgment. Jesus modeled that.
How can you show mercy to others? 1. Be patient with people’s quirks. We all have them! 2. Give people a second chance…we need second chances too! 3. Do good to those who hurt you. Love them. Pray for them. 4. Value relationships over rules. Loosen up on your judgments. 5. Forgive, forgive, forgive! Would others see you as a man or woman who shows mercy?
Throughout the Bible, we see how mercy relates to forgiveness or withholding punishment. Where did mercy come from? Of course, God! God the Father showed his mercy on us when he sacrificed His son, Jesus, on the cross to pay for our sins.
God is merciful and shows mercy, and we can follow! Mercy is subtle but you know it when you receive it. Let’s say you’re at a restaurant and received a bad version of a meal. Our natural tendency might be to go to the waiter or manager and let them know in a not-so-nice way how your meal came up short. If you showed mercy, you might not complain at all or you would be super kind and forgiving as you spoke to the manager.
You might show mercy by serving in a homeless shelter, giving finances to help children in need, or working alongside those who have been trafficked or abused. Showing God’s mercy gets us out of ourselves, our ruts, and our focus on ourselves.
Who is our model? Look to the Gospels and notice how Jesus showed mercy by choosing to love rather than condemn. Wouldn’t this world be such a better place if we’d refrain from condemning or judging others? Over and over Jesus showed compassion and mercy to those who offended and wronged Him. Mercy triumphs over judgment. Jesus modeled that.
How can you show mercy to others? 1. Be patient with people’s quirks. We all have them! 2. Give people a second chance…we need second chances too! 3. Do good to those who hurt you. Love them. Pray for them. 4. Value relationships over rules. Loosen up on your judgments. 5. Forgive, forgive, forgive! Would others see you as a man or woman who shows mercy?
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
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