Mercy, Lord! Lord, Have Mercy!

We’re one week into the 40 days of Easter through to Jesus' ascension to heaven. It’s been an unusual time of “incubation” – I like that word better than “isolation” – because I believe God is doing a sovereign work in our lives during this time and we are going to emerge out of this season as the mature “chicks” that He planned for us all along.

That’s the visual I get about “incubation”. Last summer, as a Volunteer at Children’s Hospital, I was in charge of the baby chicks in their incubation at their Ranch Days Fair. I had to keep little children from reaching into the incubator to pick them up. They weren’t big enough to handle yet and stayed under a warm light so they could absorb what they needed to develop and grow stronger.

That’s a choice we can make too. We can continue to think we’re being punished by a Daddy Who carries a big stick or we can realize our Daddy doesn’t carry a stick at all. Well, maybe He does carry a couple of sticks that remind us what we received from Christ on the cross at Calvary.

Oh, the mercy of our Father Who loves us so much that He gave us His beloved one and only Son to take on our sins – the sins of all humanity – so that we can live with him forever and ever. Today we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday. Saint Faustina wrote some beautiful words in her Diary about God’s mercy: “All grace flows from mercy . . . even if a person’s sins were as dark as night, God’s mercy is stronger than our misery. One thing alone is necessary: that the sinner set ajar the door of his heart, be it ever so little, to let in a ray of God’s merciful grace, and then God will do the rest.” (Diary of Saint Faustina)

If we open our hearts, just a little, even a tiny crack, God’s light (like those little chicks’ light in the incubator) can shine in and He can work marvels of transformation within us.

“Stay at Home” orders are no match for Jesus. Remember how afraid Jesus’ disciples were of the Jewish leaders and were huddled in fear behind locked doors? But….then Jesus came in. He could have had an agenda that included setting them straight. He could have started in a rant about their weaknesses and failures. He could have displayed His disappointment in their betrayal and denial of Him. His first words could have been, “Thanks…. for NOTHING! What were you thinking? Where were you when I needed you?” He had every right to unload His righteous indignation on them. But, no, His first words to them were “Peace be with you”. Isn’t that the way He continues to speak to us – in spite of our mistakes & failures? He loves us unconditionally and speaks “Peace be with you.” Yes, He is our "Divine Mercy" Jesus!

None of us need to be defined by our past because Divine Mercy is open to us all. Whether our sins are small or great, the mercy of God is available to all of us. The mercy of God is real! The mercy of God is His love! The mercy of God is the power of the resurrection still working today. You are not your past. Believe it! Embrace it! God’s Divine Mercy forgives, forgets and even forges the way to becoming all God destined for us in the first place. So, shouldn’t His example cause us to be His people of mercy, too — forgiving and loving others with mercy? Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy!

Playing Hide-and-Seek With God

We don’t have to play hide-and-seek with God. You know when we look and look to find the “hidden” player and they have such a good hiding place that we finally have to give up and say: “Come out. Come out wherever you are!” Good news. God isn’t hidden! He is always out!

Yesterday, my blog focused on the fear-filled disciples, who huddled all together in panic mode behind closed doors after the death of Christ. They heard He had risen but it was hearsay as far as they were concerned. THEN, Jesus showed up. He came out from hiding. His presence filled the room.

Yesterday afternoon, while waiting for the diagnosis of an “engine light” on my car, I read this scripture. "Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast."

No matter where we are – behind closed doors or in the middle of an auto service department or a doctor’s office waiting for the diagnosis of an auto repair or a physical body repair -- God’s Spirit is with us. There are two constants in my life. One is Me (I can't get away from me -- I'm always with me) and Father God. I am so blessed to know I am never alone. I acknowledge the real fact that I will never be without Him and His presence.

Not until "doubting" Thomas saw the nail prints in Jesus' hands and put his finger in His side did he believe Jesus was alive. (John 20:24-29). Then, he said “My Lord and my God.” I say those words today from this auto repair shop: “My Lord and my God!” He is here with me as I type this post. He is here with me when the service rep tells me “It’s your catalytic converter and it will cost $1,800 and there are other issues." Grand Total: $3,250. I momentarily tear up. Then I re-read this blog I'm writing. I'm reminded...."my Lord and my God" is right here with me. I sense His presence.

Panic mode just about sets in, but I remember Him and I sense "Get a second opinion." I get one from a reputable and highly recommended automotive repair shop and their pricing is far less than the dealership. God showed up. I sense His nudges as I share about Him with you. I sense Him when I open my eyes and heart to Him as I meditate on Him. "When you seek me, you will find Me." Jeremiah 29:13

Maybe you feel all alone and desperate today. Trust me. You aren’t alone. God is there with you. He's standing at your heart’s door and knocking -- desiring to team up with you today. He desires to be the CONSTANT in your life. He is simply waiting for the invitation to come in. Go ahead. Acknowledge Him. Welcome Him. He is your Friend and Savior – a very PRESENT help in times of need. He'll always accept the invitation.

Forty More Days of Easter

HOLD IT! We're not done yet! The Easter season (the resurrection of our Lord and His time on earth before ascending to heaven) is still going on. That was 40 days He was "in and out" of places and people's lives during that time. He was showing up when they least expected Him. Can you imagine being one of those who witnessed Him being alive? According to scripture, He stepped alongside two of His disciples on their way to Emmaus, He appeared to Mary and other women, He appeared to Peter. While the disciples met behind closed doors, He appeared to them, and even (doubting) Thomas got to touch the nailprints in His hands and the piercing in His side. .

For 40 days, Jesus was able to prove to His followers that He really had been raised from the dead. In 1 Corinthians 15:6, Paul records that Jesus "appeared to more than 500 brothers at one time". He needed to teach His disciples the kind of King He really was. What a seminar on biblical teaching and resurrection life that must have been! Imagine being taught about new life, resurrection life, and never-ending life by the One Who had said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live. Whoever, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die.” John 11:25. And at the end of the 40 days, He ascended to heaven. He couldn't be everywhere at one time, so He sent the Holy Spirit to be with us to comfort, guide, and lead us. He would live in our hearts.

What does that "seminar" with His disciple have to do with me today? First of all, because He lives, I can face whatever this day, and for that matter, what my tomorrows hold. When I watch CNN or Fox News, and hear the gloom and despair going on in politics, the most current killings of innocent people, the troubles in our economy, I don't have to be a member of that choir that only sings songs of dread and fear. Honestly, Christ's resurrection is the ANSWER TO EVERYTHING -- past, present AND future. Our God reigns supreme -- over all and that changes my perspective on EVERYTHING.

Science was never my favorite class in school, and I was so grateful to be done with that class at the end of the school year. And although I'm not a stellar scientific know-it-all, I know this. When I look up at the night sky and I see the stars and planets and when I walk outside on a sunny day and see the beauty all aroud me and I hear birds chirping, feel the wind against my skin and when I hold a newborn baby, and as I live in such sweet peace that passes understanding, I know it's because my Savior, my King of Kings and Lord of Lords LIVES.