Love Mercy, Do Justice October 2022 Scripture Reflection
Micah 6:8 – He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
1 John 4:18 – “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”
My middle child fell and broke his arm at school. It was completely unexpected; after all, no one plans to get hurt. One of my first comments to him after he fell was, “just get back up like you do in soccer practice and keep going.”
This made me reflect on how I’ve previously responded to my hurting neighbors. I confess my complicity in ignoring the brokenness around me because it’s easier than having to act justly and to love mercy (Micah 6:8).
Biblical justice requires me sitting in discomfort, listening more and talking less, acknowledging that I might have been wrong, lamenting the hurt, and working together toward restoration.
Out of the abundance of God’s infinite love, He sent Jesus to live among humanity. He walked with his hurting neighbors. His approach was kind and gave dignity not pity, love not shame, and turned toward instead of away. Jesus’ perfect love drives out fear (1 John 4:18).
I don’t know what it’s like to have a broken arm, but I do know that seeing my son hurting hurts me. It’s not possible to restore his arm to good health, or even know that his arm was in poor health, without first asking questions, acknowledging his pain, helping him with certain tasks, and listening to the doctor. Then I can know how to help restore his arm to what it was before the fall.
Would you join me in being the hands (arms) and feet of Jesus today so that all may experience heaven on earth?
Cordelia Lee is a member of the Love Mercy, Do Justice team at Arvada Covenant Church