mercy

Your Riches

January 26, 2021 — Leave a comment

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions — it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.

Ephesians 2:4-9

What comes to mind for you when I say rich, incomparable riches? A West Village Townhouse? Real Housewives of Orange County? Beyonce?

Mercy? Grace? Kindness?

Mercy, grace and kindness are the only wells that keep overflowing and never run out. They are the investments that grow exponentially and are not swayed by the swings of the market. They live above, beyond, transform circumstances. To be rich in mercy demands you know your own worth and see another with hope. To be rich in grace means you know your own overflow and want to invite another into that hope. To be rich in kindness is to see your worth is inextricably linked up to another’s worth.

I pray we are rich in mercy, grace and kindness — that we first experience those gifts from God and know we are now owners of those riches. Be generous and share that mercy, grace and kindness. It’ll come back tenfold.

CBG COVID Challenge: #7

March 27, 2020 — Leave a comment

And the word of the Lord came to Zechariah, saying, “Thus says the Lord of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart.

Zechariah 7:8-10

Even if it’s permissible, is it kind?

Even if you’re hurt, can you show mercy?

Even if you’re overwhelmed, can you see another’s pain?

When you have nothing, can you show kindness and mercy to another?

Kindness is one of the most underrated traits. Yet it is the one thing that will set you apart in times of impatience, of self-preservation, of irritation, of uncertainty. It breaks though the boundaries we’ve unconsciously and consciously created for safety and survival so, we can see each other, see the deep needs to understand how to care well. And the only way to survive is to take care of one another. (Grace Lee Boggs)

Prayer: Kindness — What is in the way of this, for others and for yourself?

Creative: Sit still and daydream. And/or go watch Paddington Bear 2.

Brave: Where have you gotten a no? Revisit that ask.

Generous: Encourage someone today who you “think doesn’t need it.”

Day 23: Rules, Rules, Rules

January 8, 2019 — Leave a comment

Exodus 19-21; Psalm 23

Here comes the rules. Rules are a imperfect manifestation of wisdom and social justice and goodness. It’s a way of making sense of a less tangible sense of holiness and right way of living. It’s an asymptote to living for God. If we follow all the rules but without consent and knowing the heart behind them, it’s not love. It feels like prison and a system of trying not to cross the line. I’m not saying rules are bad. If you look at the rules and commandments and understand this helps us prioritize God before self, this helps us trust our provision, this teaches relational goodness, and you agree with the foundation of these said commandments, then you’re not following out of obligation but rather living according to a good way. So don’t fall pray to a need to follow 10 commandments and 52 other ones to be a “person of God.” What do the commandments say about God, you and people? How does each commandment help us live in just relationship with God, others and ourselves? Because when Jesus comes he revamps these rules, not by abolishing them but actually by revealing the impossible-like heart of God’s way. Do not lust? Damn that covers a lot of ground and makes us really think through our ideas of intimacy, relationship and love. Forgive fully? Damn that makes us rethink reparations, revenge, Grace, mercy and endurance. Those ideas are big and broad and require wisdom and freedom and a continual conversation with God. I can follow rules; now living a life where each moment is surrendered to God’s wisdom and freedom? That requires faith.