“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”
Luke 6:36

Mercy is one of those words we know.

But it can be surprisingly difficult to explain.

Grace gives what we don’t deserve.

Mercy looks at what we do deserve and chooses compassion.

Mercy sees the failure, the weakness, the mess, and doesn’t turn away.

And that is how God meets us.

Not reluctantly.

Not with folded arms and a disappointed sigh.

With mercy.

Again and again throughout the Bible, people encounter a God who sees them at their worst and still moves towards them.

Maybe we imagine that God is constantly keeping score.

The things we got right.
The things we got wrong.
The times we tried.
The times we didn’t.

But mercy isn’t about keeping score.

Mercy begins with the heart of God.

A heart that is compassionate towards ordinary, imperfect, struggling people.

People like us.

Perhaps today you don’t need to explain yourself to God.

Perhaps you simply need to let yourself be seen.

And trust that the God who sees you is merciful.

Carry this today

God sees the whole of me and meets me with mercy.

Prayer

Merciful God,
thank you that you see me as I really am
and still draw near.
Help me to stop hiding,
stop pretending,
and simply receive your mercy today.
Amen.