MERCY and COMPASSION....

MERCY and COMPASSION: A much needed commodity in our society today. What does it mean to have these virtues and why do we not see more of it?

I thank the Lord that He has given me either by genetics or by experience the ability to show MERCY and COMPASSION. In one sense, I do think much is inherited, as my kids and I are pretty good natured, (People-People) so I am sure ones innate temperament plays a huge role. When I took a test on spiritual gifts many years ago I scored equally high on FAITH/WISDOM, then equally high on SERVING/GIVING and then MERCY and others to follow. (Of course this is a Baptist church, so no sign gifts…which is another study in itself which I actually personally wrote about in 1991 that was 8 pages long, no computer, took me close to a year to put together) Anyway, I honestly believe and I know many will disagree that I think many of our innate gifts can transfer over to spiritual gifts. I also fell the closer one is to God the more God can do with them... I also know God can totally do such a transformation in one’s life under His power to do just the opposite, such as Moses. But for the “most” part if one has COMMON SENSE (Is it really common, that is what I want to know?) then they will have WISDOM. If one has a HEART then they will GIVE, ACT and show MERCY, if one has APPRECIATION then they will SERVE, if one is not prone to WORRY, but has a very TRUSTING nature they will have FAITH…see what I mean?

Anyway I am not going to focus on just Christians, showing Mercy and Compassion is for everyone to practice no matter who you are, or what you do. Mercy is defined as “Forgiving Someone Of An Offense” it may well be warranted that you hold a grudge against that person or that you make sure they know what they did wrong and that no matter what they do or say there is no way you will forgive them. If I remember correctly JESUS forgave every sinner that confessed his sins. So why should we be any different? I mean isn’t the bottom line, (It is for me) that we should “Do Unto Others As We Would Have Done Unto Us?” …I’m sure this isn’t news to many of you, but I’m going to BLOW it at times in what I say or do, that is a fact till the day I die. And so will you. For one, our PERCEPTION alone will cause us to either be offended or to offend, just the way it is….for now. But the key to allowing MERCY to take place is in proper communication STARTING with the ONE WHO IS OFFENDED to say something to the one he feels has offended him and have an open HEART to try and understand the other person’s side…who knows maybe it wasn’t at all what you thought it was and your perception wasn’t reality. MERCY is; no matter what that person said or did, and if they have tried to make it right or are remorseful for it, then YOUR JOB given to you by a higher power, is to forgive, and pray you don’t do the same to someone else. By your NOT forgiving you are now the one OFFENDING…see the irony?

A great example of showing MERCY (and I’ve heard many of these) is a victim or family member of a victim forgiving the offender when they deserved JUSTICE. Think of a MURDER or RAPE situation. The offender may be required by law to pay the penalty, but the victim carries on a relationship with the offender as if they were their best friend…that is the ultimate example of MERCY and is what Jesus did for us. I do think it is much easier (I know it is for me) to show Mercy to someone who is actually REMORSEFUL for what they have done and has tried to do what they can to make things right…if not, than it is hard if not impossible without God’s grace flowing through you.

COMPASSION: Is going a step beyond EMPATHY, it is actually doing something about the “feelings” that make you stop and say, “what is wrong with this picture and how can I fix it, so we can go back to harmony.” I want to live in a world where people get along; a beautiful world based on harmony. (don’t we all?) I want to live in a world where we take care of each other, we are not to live isolated lives…the saying “NO MAN IS AN ISLAND” rings true. There is strength when two or more people are gathered, when the more strands you have the tougher the rope, where one does the right thing because it is the right thing to do. I can’t help but think sometimes, by the GRACE of God there go I. I want someone to be there when I need them… not IF, but when. The song “LEAN ON ME” and “YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND come to mind.

I guess my bottom line is, everyone cries out, especially models lol… that their deepest wish for mankind is that there be PEACE...Specifically “World Peace” well guess what, if you really do want that then it STARTS WITH YOU!...it starts with me. But I am only responsible for ME! …in closing I say…

Peace through Mercy and Compassion