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Mercy - February 2010

Suddenly a deep rumbling shook the Napoli hotel and grocery store where young Wismond worked as a shop clerk. Instinctively he ducked under a heavy desk and felt the earth convulse as he wondered aloud what could be going on. Then, everything turned black and his tiny temporary refuge became his home for hours on end with only feeble supplies of food and drink within reach. But, Wismond had another life line: Prayer.

Outside in the rubble, British firefighters searched for signs of life. They knew their window for finding people alive was getting slim but they forged ahead anyway. Then in the midst of despair, they uncovered Wismond - buried alive after eleven days of serious confinement and a sure death sentence.

Wismond was grateful for the compassion the British firefighters portrayed that day by just being there to assist in the aftermath of a horrific earthquake that had taken place in the capital city of Port-au-Prince on January 12, 2010 He knew they were an answer to his prayers. To his immediate rescuer, Carmen, he choked, "Merci" To the reporters he confided, "It was God who was tucking me away in His arms," he added, "It gave me strength."

What prompted people from around the world to respond to this crisis in Haiti? Mercy. What prompted selfless rescue workers to come to America's aid after 9/11? Mercy. What motivates anyone to get out of their busy lives and lend a helping hand to anyone in need? Mercy.

Did you know that Mercy is mentioned in the Bible at least 328 times!

Mercy - God's Nature

Mercy is an attribute of God's love. It is equated in the scripture with loving kindness, compassion and tender mercies. Having compassion in our hearts to respond to the pain and tragedies in the world originates from our Creator and is a gift from God.

Old Testament scriptures string out quotes like: "...showing mercy and steadfast love to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments...there is no God like You in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and showing mercy and loving-kindness to Your servants who walk before You with all their heart...The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and abounding in mercy and loving-kindness...give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever!"

Gracious, loving, kind, steadfast love, enduring love, full of compassion, slow to anger, abounding in mercy - that's our God.

Mercy - the gift of LIFE

Mercy gave us the gift of Life: "But God--so rich is He in His mercy! Because of and in order to satisfy the great and wonderful and intense love with which He loved us, even when we were dead (slain) by [our own] shortcomings and trespasses, He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ; [He gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life with which He quickened Him, for] it is by grace (His favor and mercy which you did not deserve) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation)."

Ephesians 2:4-5 Amplified

We are now in a position to give mercy because we have received mercy. Extending compassion comes from our new nature.

Mercy - Our Ministry

Mercy becomes our ministry and we must dress for the position as we engage in personal and business relationships from a merciful point of reference.

Colossians 3 from the Message Bible gives some clear instructions: "So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline...And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it."

Business owners and those who have leadership positions in the workplace, have a unique opportunity to influence groups of people to touch the underprivileged, the hurting, the devastated, the broken ones.

Mercy is never out of style. It is not really ever an option. It is a lifestyle that we inherited when we accepted Father God as our CEO. It's good company!

Ellene Meece lives in Meeker, Colorado and works with her husband in their natural resource company while running her own online store, http://www.Grandmastreasuresonline.com. Currently, she oversees the marketing for the FMIN Workplace Leaders Network.

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