With the Spiritual Gift of Mercy:
to be sensitive toward those who are suffering, whether physically, mentally, or emotionally, so as to feel genuine sympathy with their misery, speaking words of compassion but more caring for them with deeds of love to help alleviate their distress
Servant #1: He was a teenager, one with ADHD. He would often find himself in trouble at school and at church. He could be self-absorbed, self-gratifying, and lacking in self-control. Yet, when he saw someone in need, his heart went out to them and he wanted to do something to help.
Servant #2: In her eighties, she would visit people in nursing homes. “Those poor old souls,” you could hear her say, as she pondered the conditions some of them were experiencing. Her heart ached over their loneliness and losses and she wanted to be there to comfort them and let them know that someone cared.
Both of these servants were in a stage of life that presented their own needs, yet when they saw others in need were able to step outside of themselves with the compassion of Christ. These individuals were years apart, yet both served the Lord. Gifts are not age specific. Nor are they held back from those with special needs or disabilities. When it comes to having or using spiritual gifts, the issue is if you know the Lord.
Lesson to be learned:
Let’s provide opportunity for all to serve. Children and teens who know the Lord have much to offer right now. They are members of the church of today, not merely the church of tomorrow. We should come alongside of them, mentoring and discipling them to use their gifts. Our senior citizens should not be shelved simply because they are old. They have much to offer. The psalmist wrote “Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come” (Ps. 71:18). Proverbs 16:31 adds, “Gray hair is a crown of splendor.” And, people with special needs often teach us and minister in our lives so much more than we might imagine. Particularly when it comes so spiritual gifts, why wouldn’t we expect God to use believers with special needs? Do we really get that a spiritual gift is a “divine empwerment bestowed on each believer”?
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I really felt that I had no gift. I am a disabled nurse who has not given much because I have just come to know the Lord and not being able to walk very well I also felt I had nothing to give. Taking a spiritual gifts test and finding that my gift was mercy and then reading the above examples I now know that I can make it to a place where I can show mercy to others without walking very much. Thank you for this.
You are most welcome, Barb. How I praise God for leading you to the site. I firmly believe that until God takes us from this earth, He has a purpose for each of us to accomplish here regardless of age, physical condition, how long we’ve know Him, or a multitude of other factors. It might not be the way we used to serve. It might not be in the conventional way. It might not be in the way others serve. But, we have a sovereign, powerful, and creative God who can use us in ways we may never think of as we put our trust in Him to work in and through us. We sometimes try to box God in by limiting how spiritual gifts can be used, rather than being open to whatever He has in store for us. We sometimes try to fight against God because we can’t do certain things, rather than be content in what He enables us to do. We all need to remember that He is the Potter and we are the clay. In His hands, we will be a vessel shaped to accomplish His purpose for us. He will use you, as you are, to His glory as you look to Him to do what He is very good at … being GOD!
Hi! I feel like a confirmation has taken place today, as I have read about what mercy really is, and what I possess from God to accomplish in this life for Him. I had a friend several years ago tell me I had the gift of mercy. I knew it was partially true, but today I am sure this is one thing God has specifically called me to. Thanks for defining this gift for me so I can continue in His work with much joy and assurance!
You are most welcome, Rhonda. I praise God with you. May you serve with confidence knowing that it is the power of God at work within and through you as you extend HIS mercy to others!