Mercy, Mercy Me

We start this week by continuing in our ongoing discussion by revealing the next in our 8 Points of Light. 

For me this has been a wonderfully blessed experience, which  I am truly glad to share.

To this point and place in time we’ve touched upon more than half the flower, having discussed the petals of Compassion, Dignity, Respect , Peace and Love. 

When last we spoke we embraced love as perhaps the greatest of all emotions, feelings, expressions, states, attitudes and basis for our personal development and our shared path of “Becoming Today”.Encouraging you to seek to express and accept more love in your life. 

This can be accomplished by taking care of yourself.  Self care not only of the mind, but also the body and soul.

Using Positive Affirming statements. Treat yourself lovingly and always be encouraging. Delaye you “can” and you “will”.

Forgiving yourself.  If you’ve made a mistake, remember it’s not permanent. You need to readjust to move past that moment in time and create the next in abundance. 

Spending time with people who make you happy. Those who inspire or uplift you. Don’t waste time on negative or fake people.

Choose Love. Choose a Loving Life. You will find it to be a merciful act..

Now that you’ve had time to reflect upon our first five petals of the flower, Mercy is our sixth point of light to radiate.

Let’s begin by coming to a shared understanding, by developing a common definition.  

Mercy is described as:

-compassion or forbearance shown especially to someone who has offended or wronged us. 

-a blessing that is an act of divine favor or compassion

-a fortunate circumstance

-compassionate treatment of those in distress

For our purpose parts of all four are relevant. So let’s bring them together as, 

“Mercy is a blessing. A gift of compassion in unfortunate circumstances or troubling times.”

It is something we’d each like to have for ourselves and just as with our other points we can only be granted this blessing if we are willing to and actively giving it to others..

In the Scriptures, Jesus instructs His Disciples: “ I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

A foundation for the belief that mercy comes in the personal relationship Jesus promises to all of us. That is a relationship based upon forgiveness, love, reconciliation and truth. That’s why some theologians share that Jesus Christ can be considered the face of God’s mercy, as it’s very essence is personified in His works of healing, forgiving and welcoming all.

Mercy matters because we all need forgiveness. Plus it creates a common bond between us.

Mercy begins by opening ourselves to those with whom we disagree. Starting with small acts of understanding, can lead to life-changing experiences of compassion, dignity.respect, peace and love.

Like our other points of light, Mercy can be readily available as long ass we are willing to accept it. Time and time again, I have given testimony to things working out at the very moment I needed it the most. More often than not, circumstances have improved, beyond what I had previously limited myself to expecting, or at times even hoping for.  

After a while I could no longer be in denial of it. Despite a battle of impatience, if I continue in faith and trust, at the very least my needs, hopes and dreams are delivered – often exceeded beyond what I had prayed for.

Does that mean everything happens when I want it to, or think it should?

 Absolutely,… NOT.

Sure I experience delays, Argue with myself over whether or not I’m being too patient, but time and time again I have come to know that when I do I’m just adding to the length of time it will take to “find” what I was searching for. 

That in itself is merciful. When becoming the recipient of mercy, it is freeing. Allowing us to continue advancing along our shared path of “Becoming Today”. 

Do not let naysayers or well intentioned, but less “Becoming” individuals in your circles dissuade you. Do not deny the Truth, by listening to their fears or lack of understanding. Do not allow their emotional responses to rule your heart, mind and soul.  

To start receiving mercy, begin by giving the gift to yourself. 

Nurture yourself with positive, compassionate self talk. Do not hang onto old baggage. Release the present interruptions and focus on who you are truly “Becoming Today”.

Be content. Approach all things, people, situations from a place of peace. Stay calm and carry on.Then allow others the space and give them the support needed to do for themselves. When we have come together in mercy, it can only increase exponentially. 

A significant part of the Scriptures are based upon the concept of mercy and being merciful to others.In Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, one of the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:7) as is is written,is “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy”. 

Mercy is what and how we express ourselves when we are directed by God to be compassionate in our thoughts, attitudes, words, and deeds.

It is more than feeling sympathetic toward someone. It is love becoming enabled. Being merciful is an immediate, natural response to desire alleviating suffering, loneliness, pain and grief. It is self-sacrificial service. 

Another Biblical example can be found  in Matthew 20:29–34.

As Jesus and his disciples were traveling, a crowd followed. Two blind men along the road y heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, ‘Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!’ 

The crowd tried to quiet them, so the shouted even louder, ‘LORD! SON OF DAVID, HAVE MERCY ON US!”J

This stopped Jesus in His tracks and he asked,‘What do you want me to do for you?’ 

‘Lord,’ they answered, ‘we want our sight.’ Jesus then had compassion on them, healing their eyes immediately. When they received their sight they followed Him.Jesus’ compassion prompted him to act and he mercifully loves, heals and restores.

Mercy is more than a feeling; it is always followed by action.

Mercy and compassion are often braided together.. Mercy is a gift given to one who is suffering by someone whose actions are motivated by compassion.

Many times acts of mercy are not huge moments. They are not flamboyant gestures, rather, they are simple acts of kindness intended to treat another or yourself gently, from a loving place. 

At times mercy can be allowing for someone who has offended you to make their amends.. That is the mercy of forgiveness.

At other times mercy can be taking action by gently correcting another, while remaining humble and not vindictive. That is the mercy of grace.

There are probably as many different examples of mercy as there are humans. 

We are all unique, no two exactly identical. Mercifully accept this and you are developing, learning, growing and most of all “Becoming”.

Mercy is our sixth Point of Light. Tomorrow we’ll reveal number seven and also pause to mark a milepost along our shared path here on “Becoming Today”