Written by Shelly Ballard
The gift of mercy is the Spirit-given ability to feel profound empathy for those that are hurting, and not only feel it but respond with cheerful, practical compassion.
I have seen this gift expressed through me the most in parenting my five children. There was a season where one of our children was struggling, making choices that were hurting himself and hurting us as his parents. One night after he came home and said goodnight to us, we knew that he had been drinking. We were devastated; as parents, we knew that he was on a rough path. After talking with him for at least an hour, consequences were given and we all went to bed.
The next day began his period of being grounded for the summer. I was getting ready to go to the store and I asked him if he would like me to pick him up some Runza. I felt such empathy for him even though he had made a bad choice. I felt the love of God overwhelm me for him and where he was at.
His eyes welled up with tears and he said, “You would do that for me even though I am in trouble?” I said, “Of course I would. My love for you is not conditional.” I was able to show mercy by meeting a practical need.
To this day he says that God used us as his parents to help him understand the love of God even when we mess up and make mistakes. That, after all, is what I believe the gifts are for, to reveal God’s heart to people.
Weekly Reflection Questions
- Are you energized by filling common, practical needs or does it feel like an obligation to you?
- Pride and burnout were mentioned as “ditches to avoid” in our reading this week. Have you ever been burned out or prideful in the gift of serving or in any gift you have? How did you work through it?
- Do people who are hurting naturally come to me for comfort, encouragement, or support? Do I feel recharged and fulfilled when responding to those needs?
- Just because you may not have the spiritual gift of mercy, doesn’t mean you are exempt from showing mercy. Is there someone in your life that the Lord is calling you to extend mercy to? If so, how will you respond?