The Mercy Test

I am at Honey Creek getting in some continuing education at the Diocese of Georgia clergy conference. Our speaker is Bishop Clifton Daniel of the Diocese of East Carolina. He has given us much to think about, but I wanted to pass along "The Mercy Test."

Bishop Daniel notes the importance of mercy in scripture and he offers the self test for any situation. In any given place you find yourself, the mercy you are showing and are willing to show is revealed in how many people in that place you would not be with if you had a choice to avoid them. How many people are getting on your nerves, driving you crazy etc. do you have to extend some mercy to in the given situation. For in many places we find ourselves, we are called to extend mercy and understanding to others and in turn receive it ourselves.