Sometimes I think that I need to do extraordinary things to impact the world. We want a purpose, to impact greater change, to do or be a part of something bigger. We can forget that as Christians, we already are. It’s the small everyday things we can do and say that can change someone’s eternity and show us God.
Ps51:16-17 (msg) “Going through the motions doesn’t please you, a flawless performance is nothing to you. I learned God-worship when my pride was shattered. Heart-shattered lives ready for love don’t for a moment escape God’s notice.”
It’s giving up your seat on the bus or train for someone, or giving someone $5 at the register when the debit card limit is $10 and they have no cash. It’s a smile, eye contact, and many other forms of warmth and mercy that we can give every day. In the moments we give and live in these ways people see God, and so do we. These are mercy-filled moments. It’s remembering Jesus never withdrew his mercy and grace from anyone. It’s how He loved.
When I felt like mercy was being withheld from me by someone, though I longed for it, I turned to God. He filled me with His mercy and it is now out of this fullness I am able to pour it out on to others like I was never able to before. God always shows us mercy. How amazing!
Ps119:132 (NIV) “Turn to me and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name.”
It struck me the other day how Jesus could have just waved his hand over the crowds and healed them all at once. Yet he chose to meet each need individually, in intimate ways, so we could see that this is God’s character, this is our God with us, one-on-one. I would have chosen efficiency, He chose intimacy. My choices are so different now as He continues to transform me.
John 5:14 “Later, Jesus found the man at the Temple and said to him, “See, you are well now. Stop sinning so that something worse does not happen to you.”
John 9:35 “When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, Jesus found him and said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”
Not only did Jesus choose personal intimate moments, but he went back and found these men again. He comes back for us in the full spectrum of moments - our pain, trials, and daily moments of whatever, the hard, uncomfortable, and unbearable.
Brene Brown writes, “When we lose our tolerance for discomfort, we lose joy.” Whether I am in the midst something I don’t understand or when I am a bit too certain and think I understand completely, Jesus always finds me. Our God is personal, vulnerable and intimate. When we are close to Him we can love like He loves. We can face what we dread the most. We can lean into our painful moments. God’s way is harder but it’s best. When we connect with His love for us, we are free to love like He loves. We are free to be seen for who we are because we are secure in who we are in Him. We don’t need to self-protect, worry, or promote because He’s already got us. We can see and do the extraordinary in the ordinary moments. Not because of who we are but because of who He is. So go ahead, love, show mercy, and change the world, one person at a time.
1Peter5:6-7 (msg) “So be content with who you are, and don’t put on airs. God’s strong hand is on you; he’ll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you.”