Happy Monday! I hope it's going well and that you started off the week with worship! I had to wonderful blessing of worshipping out at Chapel in the Pines and sharing the special music of the morning yesterday. It's so beautiful out there!
Well, today continues our journey to discover more about our Spiritual gifts and how they can be used to produce fruitful, faithful lives that glorify the Lord. Today, we're going to take a look at the gift of mercy.
I must admit - this is a gift that I've not been blessed with abundantly. Mercy is defined as "compassionate treatment of or attitude towards an offender, adversary, etc., who is in one's power or care; clemency; pity". The spiritual gift of "mercy" is one that gives supernatural ability to feel and express unusual compassion and sympathy for those in difficult or crisis situations and provide them with the necessary help and support to see them through tough times. One who has the gift of mercy doesn't just feel or care - they have the ability to get in the trenches with those who are hurting - to walk in an other's shoes as such.
The good Samaritan - Luke 10:30-37 is probably one of the greatest examples of someone with the gift of mercy in Scripture. Jesus spoke about mercy on many occasions.
Those who possess mercy as their primary gift will be drawn to others who are hurting, grieving, sick, needy, poor and helpless. Needy people readily sense this gift and gravitate to the person with the mercy gift. Mercy-givers feel fulfilled after visiting with those who are sick rather than depressed about the situation. They will look for ways to help others and naturally seem to "know" what to do and do so without judgement or self-gratification. Mercy-givers enjoy care-giving and sense a great deal of compassion for those in their care.
Mercy-givers who move away from operating in the Spirit, can become very needy, depressed, selfish and uncaring - the direct opposite of their natural tendencies. Mercy-givers must be very sensitive to giving out and becoming over extended, and must work hard to re-fill their own tank from time to time, both spiritually and physically. An exhausted mercy-giver may become ill, either mentally or physically (or both) if not encouraged to let others be involved in care-giving - especially when this involves a loved one.
By profession, Mercy-givers make good counselors, foster parents, health professionals, personal care-givers, special needs, elementary and preschool teachers, geriatric care-givers, physical and occupational therapists, customer service representatives, and massage therapists. Mercy-givers are great listeners but must realize their own limitations with regard to giving help to those in their care.
A parent with a strong mercy gift will be compassionate and caring but may lack in the ability to discipline and enforce house rules. They are patient and loving but can be manipulated if not careful.
Jesus referred to mercy givers in His Sermon on the Mount - Matthew 5:7 - blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy...it would appear in this verse that the mercy gift is a gift that keeps on giving - an endless supply that runs over...and when the gift of mercy is used to glorify the Lord - He refills the tank to give and give and then give mercy again. In showing mercy to those who in need of any kind, the Lord gives more mercy to give again and shows mercy to those in need (sinners) through His death and resurrection...a beautiful picture of grace...and mercy on all of us.
The gift of mercy is a treasure, one to be shared with others. It's not one to be kept or used to gratify "self". If mercy isn't given away, it's really useless.
I affectionately call mercy-givers "nut-magnets". My mother and a dear friend have the gift of mercy as one of their primary gifts and I'm constantly amazed at the people who gravitate to them. They can be standing in line at the grocery store or post office and without saying a word, the person next to them will begin to pour out their heart of the troubles that they are carrying for that day or season. They are both precious people who use their gifts to glorify the Lord - but I've seen them both be taken for granted and used at times as well. They can be gullible and will believe a "sob story" and give the benefit of the doubt much more than they would ever pass judgement and walk away. They both have a sense of humor about it, but are so thankful to have others to hold them accountable and to be another set of watchful eyes for a scam.
In the church, mercy givers work well with the elderly, home-bound, missions, children, special needs classes and assistance, disaster assistance and charity drives, counseling ministries and the like. They may take a leadership role or a serving role depending on their other gifts, but mercy givers are essential to the backbone of the church's outreach to the community and missions projects. Their passion will drive the success of these endeavors.
If you are a mercy-giver, you will be happiest when you are busy helping others. Find a place to help and your life will take on more meaning and will bless other in ways you cannot begin to imagine and in doing so you will fulfill your calling and will reap the reward of a never ending supply of mercy to yourself and to those you care so deeply for.
Be blessed today -- See ya tomorrow! Amy
Well, today continues our journey to discover more about our Spiritual gifts and how they can be used to produce fruitful, faithful lives that glorify the Lord. Today, we're going to take a look at the gift of mercy.
I must admit - this is a gift that I've not been blessed with abundantly. Mercy is defined as "compassionate treatment of or attitude towards an offender, adversary, etc., who is in one's power or care; clemency; pity". The spiritual gift of "mercy" is one that gives supernatural ability to feel and express unusual compassion and sympathy for those in difficult or crisis situations and provide them with the necessary help and support to see them through tough times. One who has the gift of mercy doesn't just feel or care - they have the ability to get in the trenches with those who are hurting - to walk in an other's shoes as such.
The good Samaritan - Luke 10:30-37 is probably one of the greatest examples of someone with the gift of mercy in Scripture. Jesus spoke about mercy on many occasions.
Those who possess mercy as their primary gift will be drawn to others who are hurting, grieving, sick, needy, poor and helpless. Needy people readily sense this gift and gravitate to the person with the mercy gift. Mercy-givers feel fulfilled after visiting with those who are sick rather than depressed about the situation. They will look for ways to help others and naturally seem to "know" what to do and do so without judgement or self-gratification. Mercy-givers enjoy care-giving and sense a great deal of compassion for those in their care.
Mercy-givers who move away from operating in the Spirit, can become very needy, depressed, selfish and uncaring - the direct opposite of their natural tendencies. Mercy-givers must be very sensitive to giving out and becoming over extended, and must work hard to re-fill their own tank from time to time, both spiritually and physically. An exhausted mercy-giver may become ill, either mentally or physically (or both) if not encouraged to let others be involved in care-giving - especially when this involves a loved one.
By profession, Mercy-givers make good counselors, foster parents, health professionals, personal care-givers, special needs, elementary and preschool teachers, geriatric care-givers, physical and occupational therapists, customer service representatives, and massage therapists. Mercy-givers are great listeners but must realize their own limitations with regard to giving help to those in their care.
A parent with a strong mercy gift will be compassionate and caring but may lack in the ability to discipline and enforce house rules. They are patient and loving but can be manipulated if not careful.
Jesus referred to mercy givers in His Sermon on the Mount - Matthew 5:7 - blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy...it would appear in this verse that the mercy gift is a gift that keeps on giving - an endless supply that runs over...and when the gift of mercy is used to glorify the Lord - He refills the tank to give and give and then give mercy again. In showing mercy to those who in need of any kind, the Lord gives more mercy to give again and shows mercy to those in need (sinners) through His death and resurrection...a beautiful picture of grace...and mercy on all of us.
The gift of mercy is a treasure, one to be shared with others. It's not one to be kept or used to gratify "self". If mercy isn't given away, it's really useless.
I affectionately call mercy-givers "nut-magnets". My mother and a dear friend have the gift of mercy as one of their primary gifts and I'm constantly amazed at the people who gravitate to them. They can be standing in line at the grocery store or post office and without saying a word, the person next to them will begin to pour out their heart of the troubles that they are carrying for that day or season. They are both precious people who use their gifts to glorify the Lord - but I've seen them both be taken for granted and used at times as well. They can be gullible and will believe a "sob story" and give the benefit of the doubt much more than they would ever pass judgement and walk away. They both have a sense of humor about it, but are so thankful to have others to hold them accountable and to be another set of watchful eyes for a scam.
In the church, mercy givers work well with the elderly, home-bound, missions, children, special needs classes and assistance, disaster assistance and charity drives, counseling ministries and the like. They may take a leadership role or a serving role depending on their other gifts, but mercy givers are essential to the backbone of the church's outreach to the community and missions projects. Their passion will drive the success of these endeavors.
If you are a mercy-giver, you will be happiest when you are busy helping others. Find a place to help and your life will take on more meaning and will bless other in ways you cannot begin to imagine and in doing so you will fulfill your calling and will reap the reward of a never ending supply of mercy to yourself and to those you care so deeply for.
Be blessed today -- See ya tomorrow! Amy
No comments:
Post a Comment