Mercy.
November 06, 2005
In all the tests I have taken to determine my spiritual gifts, mercy has always found itself in last place. That bothers me somewhat.
Recently God has taught me so much about why it is good that I am not Him. When I feel unloved, my flesh wants to hurt the offending person just as I feel I am being hurt. When I feel unpursued, my flesh wants to entirely withdraw from the person who does not pursue.
These responses are not Godly, because they are not how God responds to us. His creation is marked with those who do not love Him, do not pursue Him. His creation is marked with those who do know Him, and yet still find themselves trapped in a lifestyle that is not beneficial to their growth as His children. And yet He still loves us and pursues us. And forgives us.
If I were God, I would want to smite those that I created, those who know me and yet turn their backs, pursuing other things in this world, loving other things of this world. God has so much mercy! And patience! How does He do it?? I know that he is not tainted by the things of this world, as we are. He does not struggle with the flesh as we do. But at one time, He did. And still, Jesus held himself together, was a perfect picture of love and tenderness and mercy.
I think it's a good thing that I'm not God. We'd all be in trouble.
