At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. – Titus 3:3-5

Yesterday’s post calling for the end of labeling made me think about a song I had shared – in worship – back in Wake Forest just a few months before Rebekah retired. It was still full-force Covid shutdown and while worship was live it was YouTube only (online attendance that day registered over 1,000).

It is an amazing privilege to be involved in ministry together, to be part of sharing the Good News when it is so very important to be in community and to listen to God’s word.

Learning the song led to the following post. I want you to read this as if it had been written today. I have pulled the song from the worship service and included it as a short video below – DEREK

We All Need a Little Mercy Now:

Earlier this week, reading one more disturbing story from the news, a song came to mind that my friend Rev. Bruce McVey shared with me.

It’s called “Mercy Now,” written by folk artist Mary Gauthier. The words feel so on point for today that I had to research the chords, grab my guitar, and connect with the soul of it.

There is reading the words, there is listening, there is letting something wash over you and then there is literally entering into a song. For me, playing and singing helps me to experience the meaning at another level.

So I thought I’d share my version with you (from WFPC worship and with apologies to Mary Gauthier for my halting, unsophisticated interpretation).

What is mercy?

It’s the idea of mercy that really interests me today. Mercy is about allowing grace and forgiveness to flow into us, to flow through us and to enter into someone else’s life.

We need mercy today as a nation. And we need mercy as individuals too. Because it is our collective ministry of grace and reconciliation – implemented person-to-person – that is required for healing.

In fact, this is how we should be praying:

• “Lord God, please show me what it means to experience mercy in my own broken soul.”
• “Lord, I confess that I need some mercy now, and I need to offer mercy to my community.”
• “Lord, what can I do to be a more effective instrument of your peace?”
• “Lord, whose life can I touch with grace today… tomorrow… next week?”
• “Lord, let mercy flow through me and into my spouse… my neighbor… my community… my political opponent… my enemy.”

The Bible teaches us that we experience salvation not because of the righteous things we have done, not because we deserve it, but because of God’s great mercy.

So let’s stop believing ourselves to be more deserving than others; instead, let’s get on our knees together and be grateful – together – for God’s mercy.

Grace received, grace extended. – DEREK