August 18 - Merciful

Part 6 - Blessed are the merciful

I wouldn’t say that I am necessarily justice oriented, but there is something about me that hates it when people cut in line, or get favor they don’t deserve. . . 

I went to a recruiting job fair the other day for a great position driving a school bus. This is something that I can easily do while planting a church, and will help us with pay and benefits, while also giving me the chance to meet lots of people. But I just happened to look at the email again before going to the location, and it had a link to see the progress of the job. After opening up the link, I became aware that 280 other people also registered to be at the job fair. 

So that meant 280 people for just 3 positions. 

It was then that I decided I would be as early as possible. So I showed up 45 min early. At which time the parking lot was already buzzing with people arriving for the chance to earn a position. Fortunately, I spotted the side door that had the sign on it and knew the line would start outside the door. So I speed walked with about 5 other people who had the same revelation. 

Sure enough, I was able to be the third person in line for the interview process. And in addition, I had already filled out all the paperwork online, so I didn’t have to go to the first step of filling out my background and all the required information they needed to run our driving records. 

But about 5 min before the doors were going to open, I was looking down the line of about 80-90 people who had formed behind me, when I saw a lady driving down the side of the driveway we were at. She parked her car, walked slowly toward the door, and got into the very front of the line. The person who was now second in line, didn’t even notice. And the person directly in front of me, seemed to not care. But ME!!!! Oh heck no!!!!! Almost 100 people are here in line, and you think you can just come up and stand in the front? 

For the next 5 min, I gave this lady the continual stare down, and made sure my eye burned disapproval into her skull. Who does she think she is? Why would she put herself above everyone else? She can just walk in and to the front of the line like that? 

I thought that as the person turned that USED TO BE FIRST, and as he noticed this lady now standing there in front of him, I thought for sure he would raise a fuss. . . But he didn’t even say a word. In fact, I think he greeted her with a smile. 

What in the world was this guy doing? 

I was just about to help her find the back of the line, when the door swung open and the recruiter greeted everyone and welcomed the fist person in. . . . That is, the alleged first person. . . . 

She went in like nothing wrong had taken place, and began the process of filling out paperwork. 

As the people in front of me slowly made their way through the line, I quickly grabbed the paperwork and walked right over to where this lady was sitting, so I could keep my eye on her. As I opened the packet and began filling the necessary paperwork out, she immediately raised her hand and got someone to come over to her. “I already have my CDL and have had experience driving a school bus before.” She said as she closed the packet and pushed it away from her. 

The instructor explained, “I’m glad you have that experience, we would love to hear about it in the interview section, however, this paperwork is mandatory by the state.” After arguing with the man for a moment, she finally grabbed the packet and began filling it out. Which, I smirked as I handed my packet to the gentlemen standing there and said, “I’ve finished, what would you like me to do next?” 

I was the first one done, and excitedly went out to the drive where I did a few physical tests on the bus, and then pulled a few weights to prove I was capable of helping a kid who might be in trouble. 

Then it was back inside to wait for the interview. 

After sitting for about 15 minutes, the lady who cut in line came in and sat down as well. She was finished with everything and was waiting for the interview segment too. But when the interviewer came in and asked which of us was done with the previous segment first, I was sure to jump up and say, “I WAS!”  

But then something happened. They called me to a table and they called the lady I’ve been frustrated with to a table just a few feet away from mine. Both of our interviewers sat down and began asking us questions. A few minutes into it, the other interviewer interrupted my questioning, and asked if I had done the physical test. 

I said that I did. 

The lady responded that they didn’t offer her the chance to do it. 

The two recruiters made conversation back and forth, and before long I was keenly aware of what was happening. The lady did not pass the segment before the interview and was not being considered. They were finalizing her time there and passing her up. And she realized it at the same time that we all did. 

To which she burst into tears. She began pouring out her story and explaining some pretty tragic loss that had taken place in her life, and how she desperately needed this job in order to survive. She was hurting, and she needed help. 

Now to be honest, there was a part of me that still wanted to tell her that she shouldn’t have cut in line. But there was a massive part of me that felt like crying with her and giving her a hug.   I suddenly felt guilty that I was so ugly hearted toward her when she cut in line. 

If she had just told me her story as she cut in line, maybe I would have had a different attitude toward her. 

Or better yet, if only I had mercy, I would’t have had to hear her story in order to be loving toward her. . . . 

See, merciful is the person who sees others and cares for them no matter how they are treated in return. When I have mercy, I can look at someone and care for them, despite how they treat me!

See, but there is a massive problem with my story. 

My mercy only presented itself when I found out she had a rough story of her own. Then I suddenly felt the calling to show this woman compassion and mercy. 

Which is where most people fail. 

True mercy isn’t given as the result of someone’s story. It is given as an act of selfless awareness toward other people’s automatic need. 

I can’t tell you of one person that I’ve ever met that didn’t need mercy in an area of their life. Those who are bitter and act like they are bitter - have had something done to them that has crushed their view of humanity and left them feeling unloved. Those who are impatient - usually struggle with confidence or affirmation and are always trying to prove themselves over others. Those who don’t care for the people around them - have often had someone in their life who didn’t show them proper love and compassion. . the list goes on. 

Truth is, everyone is trying to just do the best they can with the life they have been given. Even those who seem to take for granted the blessings they have been given, are struggling somewhere in their life to do the best they can. They too need mercy. 

See a merciful person is someone who can look at the people around them, and think of others above themself, because they understand that everyone is doing the best they can. 

Now I know that some of you have instant thoughts about the guy down the street who drives the newest Audi, has a huge house, and always goes on vacations. What mercy could they need. They just need to learn to be generous. 

But you don’t know what they’ve walked through. 

You don’t know why they drive so hard to work and feel like they have succeeded! 

In fact, some of the wealthiest people I have ever met have also been those who have struggled with loneliness, satisfaction, self worth. You don’t know what they’ve walked through that has given them the drive they have. 

Let me simplify it this way. 

EVERYONE HAS A STORY! 

Until you understand what makes someone tick, don’t judge them for the way they act. Get to know people and give them a chance. Even when they act in a way that makes you feel like they don’t deserve it! 

That’s what mercy is! 

And Jesus said it this way, 

Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. 

So here is the fun thing with this one. When you start to give mercy, you start to understand what mercy actually looks like. And when you understand what it looks like, you begin to see that people actually extend more mercy to you than you deserve. Mercy is all around you, but you often fail to see it because you are lacking in mercy toward others. 

So what can we do to practice mercy? 

Start trying to figure out people’s stories. If someone is doing something that you think cheats you - get to know them. Find out what makes them -who they are. You never know if you are going to find something that explains why they are so impatient, or hard to get along with, or whatever else it might be that makes them difficult in your eyes. 

So practice extending mercy to others. 

Because as you do, you will begin to understand mercy in a new way, and you might actually understand what you believe, and why you believe it to be true!! 

For now, I love you! And as you practice mercy, May God Bless you!