Grace on a timer; Mercy on a barter
Good Morning, This is your Daily Digest "Morning Intentions" for the P2R G.E.T.T. F.I.T.T. 12 Week Challenge.
"This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses since he had the same temptations we do, though he never once gave way to them and sinned. So let us come boldly to the very throne of God and stay there to receive his mercy and to find grace to help us in our times of need." Hebrews 4:15-16 TLB
Grace is giving what is not deserved while mercy is not giving what is deserved. Unfortunately, we as humans don’t often give grace or mercy freely. In the text we find the author (unknown) confirming for us that Jesus (High Priest) understands our plight through His own human experiences (“understands our weaknesses since He had the same temptations we do”).
When we experience people who directly or indirectly commit infractions against us, we are more tempted to retaliate or respond in kind. What most people don’t realize is that we extend grace based upon the timing that we engage with their unwarranted behavior. That is what I call “Grace on a timer”. Catch us at the wrong time, in the wrong place, under the wrong situation and that timer has hit the buzzer point and grace will not be extended. But God!!!
Mercy is an altogether other matter. When I think of the mercy that God has shown me, I shake my head, take a deep sigh and wonder why God loves me so much that I don’t have to pay the cost equivalent to my actions. Yet and still I, like many others, only extend the same mercy to others when there is a benefit for me. We give mercy as long as we receive something in return. That’s called bartering. To barter in this sense isn’t necessarily an interactive exchange but rather often an internal monologue in which we quickly assess the risks and reward to granting mercy.
The last part of this scripture truly brings it all home. It says “to receive his mercy and to find grace to help us in our times of need”. Bringing grace and mercy full circle, God grants us both “in our time of need”. We must give people what they need and not what they deserve. Let me say that again… we must give people what they need and not what they deserve. This includes ourselves. Go forth today extending Grace and Mercy as it has been given unto you!
Mindset Is Everything!!! Have a great day full of intentions...Coach Stacey (that's "ey")