You will be judged on whether or not you are doing what Christ wants you to. So watch what you do and what you think; for there will be no mercy to those who have shown no mercy. But if you have been merciful, then God’s mercy toward you will win out over his judgment against you.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
We let Timothy choose the restaurant for our lunch after church services, and he chose Burger King! No surprise there...we have really not gone to Burger King for Sunday lunch all summer (although we have eaten enough Kids’ Meals to exhaust their gamut of “toys” for one promotional and start on another!). Timothy wanted chicken strips... Zola said she wanted a cheeseburger. But when the food came, Zola would not eat her burger. Instead, she helped herself to one of the chicken strips that Greg and I were sharing. So Greg ate half of her burger...and I ate the other half. Rather than get upset with her, we “cut her some slack” and let her eat what she would eat, which was chicken strips!
The children had enjoyed a cupcake treat at Sunday school today and were each given a Blow Pop sucker as we walked out the door, so we were not surprised that they picked at their lunch a little. But they ate well enough that we allowed them to share a small dish of ice cream afterward. Yes, aunts and uncles indulge 3-and-5-year-olds...and we are no exception, on occasion. We could have been inflexible and said, “You eat what YOU chose,” and “You didn’t finish every bite, so no ice cream today!” But we were “merciful” and considered all of the factors as we made our decisions and reacted without over-reacting.
It may be a stretch to see how this relates to our everyday lives as Christians, but let’s break this down:
- We don’t always know all of the circumstances in another person’s life. The woman who snapped at you as she rang up your purchases in the grocery check-out line may have been up all night with a sick or fussy baby. A friend may not return calls because his car broke down, and the tow and repairs were more than expected – or easily afforded – and answering a message about last night’s game or next week’s poker party may be the furthest thing on the radar!
- The person who repeatedly declines your invitations to go out to eat or get together may be strapped for cash and embarrassed to admit it. The friend who never reciprocates and invites you to her house may be ashamed of its condition and how little she has (materially) in comparison to others.
- The person who acts all nervous and flustered at church may be dealing with marital problems, an aging parent, or children who can’t seem to stay out of trouble. The co-worker who says she can help you with a project, then changes her mind mid-stream and “bugs out” on you may genuinely be “flaky” – or she may be dealing with health issues, family troubles, or bills that she has no clue how she will pay and a boss who is harassing her to work harder and faster.
Ask yourself how you would feel if you thought someone was judging YOU...because someone probably is! Will they see a person who operates in grace and mercy toward others...a person who is kind and compassionate and loves others as Jesus did? Or will they see someone who is quick to accuse and react...someone who refuses to consider the possibility that others might have extenuating circumstances or situations that cause them to behave in a certain manner. Figure out how you want God to treat you...and treat others the same way. Sometimes, all it takes is the offer of “a small dish of ice cream” to share God’s healing mercy with others. What flavor will you be serving?
©2014 Debbie Robus
