Mercy

John 3:16-17
‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
‘Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Sometimes as I consider the world, I fall into a judgemental cavern. I ponder what is happening and find myself declaring some things positive and purposeful....and others detrimental. That keeps me stuck in criticism, self-absorbed...

I knit my brows at the senseless things that unfold...I look at the way time and resources are squandered. I see the insane cycle of violence...in deeds and in words. I listen to the escalating political debates...and the predictable tendency for the debaters to engage in verbal wrestling matches that often include a couple of blows below the belt. When faced with medical diagnoses that are grave yet were asymptomatic, I stand back and say "what's that about?" ... I may be tempted to judge or blame doctors or the patient for missing or ignoring something. Bottom line, when I am frightened, one coping mechanism is to become judgemental.

I am paralyzed. Rooted in my own desire to judge anybody or anything I am staying disconnected from them....standing apart. I may fool myself into thinking that I am accomplishing something by wrestling with issues....but so often it does nothing other than wrap the cords of helplessness more tightly around my heart.

Then I realize the promise of John 3:16-17. There's the key to the doorway out of the world's messiness where I am imprisoned in a desire to judge others. Claimed by divine love and mercy my heart can dwell in hope. Awareness of mercy and abiding love stimulates a flow of gentle possibility...perhaps in some small way I can meet this day grounded in God's mercy which is lavished upon all of creation. Perhaps I can step towards thoughts and actions that point to glimmers of purpose and love.

There is the key to doing our part. It is so simple....the "self" that judges is always trying to step into a place of assured importance, purpose, or security. The self is our own worst enemy in grasping the key.

May we all dwell in the mercy of Christ, so that we may live compassionately in relationship to the whole world.