Tears and cheers … as I ponder the gift of mercy, it strikes me that these two things are deeply representative of it. Mercy is a powerful expression of the very heart of God, and when a person is gifted with it, they are able to show compassion to those who are suffering, both moved by their sorrows and at times bringing cheer.
My sister-in-law Michelle is someone who I believe possesses the gift of mercy, and an interaction I had with her a few years ago ministered the Lord’s heart to me in a profound way. I was going through some very painful and confusing circumstances at the time – I can still picture how when I shared with her, tears welled in her eyes, and the words that followed expressed that she was unreservedly for me.
That interaction cut through the fog of hurt I had been in, assuring me I was seen and loved, and that made all the difference in how I was able to walk through my circumstances. Over the years, I’ve seen Michelle show this same heart toward others many times – when difficulties or pains are shared, she is often the first to respond with deep empathy.
In Scripture, tears often show up in stories of mercy. Perhaps this is seen most beautifully in the simple verse, “Jesus wept,” found in John 11 when the Lord saw his friend Mary and others weeping at the death of Lazarus. Jesus was deeply moved and troubled by their experience of pain, even though he knew what he was about to do to make things right.
I also think of the Old Testament story of Nehemiah, where the prophet wept and mourned over the broken-down walls of Jerusalem and the grievous effects in the lives of his people, the Israelites. An interesting twist happens in this story when the people come into a realization of how far they have fallen from God and begin weeping themselves. Nehemiah and the other leaders instruct them not to weep or grieve. And this is where we find the amazing verse, “The joy of the Lord is your strength,” as Nehemiah instructs them to have a holy celebration instead (Neh. 8:10).
Romans 12:8, which identifies mercy as a spiritual gift, also connects it with cheer: “If [your gift] is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”
So, as we celebrate Advent and once again enter the story of God’s love coming down to us in our Immanuel Christ Jesus, it is good to ponder how his mercy can have fuller expression in our lives. May we allow the Lord to bring tears to our eyes in line with his heart, and may we have wisdom to know when the strongest evidence of mercy is the joyful celebration of another.
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Miriam Kujak has been blessed to be a part of Grace Gathering for twelve years. She loves being wife to Peter and a mom of four; she is also a daughter, friend, worshipper, and artist. But mostly, she is a loved child of God.
