Matthew 5:7 "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy."
Equipped for Mercy
The USNS Mercy sailed into the Port of Los Angeles today. The 1000-bed ship will serve as floating hospital for non-Coronavirus patients.
"Mercy brings a team of medical professionals, medical equipment and supplies, all of which will act, in essence, as a `relief valve' for local civilian hospitals in Los Angeles so that local health professionals can better focus on COVID-19 cases,'' he said. "We will use our agility and responsiveness as an afloat medical treatment facility to do what the country asks, and bring relief where we are needed most.''
https://www.foxla.com/news/usns-mercy-hospital-ship-arrives-at-port-of-los-angeles-to-bring-relief-to-overwhelmed-area-hospitals
Mercy is a name of a huge ship. But really it is about the people, the jobs, the care, the courage, the do diligence of those placed on board to serve, bring healing and comfort to those recovering from other ailments and/or injuries.
Essential for Mercy
Our doctors and nurses, EMT's and various therapists and health providers are risking their own health and beyond by serving all the communities at large at this very moment in time across our country, around the world. They are working without enough protective equipment in this pandemic. The numbers are increasing. Quarantined patients are without their family and visa-versa.Nurses serve not only in the physical care, but in the emotional care of these patients. Who is caring for their anxieties, their mental and emotional health?
Just like after war, after 9-11, we may see a surge of PTSD in our health professionals.
Exacting Mercy
I saw this story today--had to share it.
https://www.nbclosangeles.com/on-air/restaurants-cater-meals-to-hospital-and-medical-workers/2336721/
The merciful: "those who, through brotherly love, account another person’s misery their own; who weep over the calamities of others; who, out of their own property, feed the hungry and clothe the naked; who admonish those that are in error, inform the ignorant, pardon the offending; and who, in short, use their utmost endeavours to relieve and comfort others." ~ Erasmus, Dutch scholar and Christian philosopher, 1466-1536 A.D.
Lord, I pray that you equip us with your mercy to serve those in need around us, the wounded in spirit, the bed-ridden in anxiety, the broken, unable to catch their breath. Allow us to be essential in all our thoughts and deeds, in our daily stay-at-home schedules and plans within these dynamics and parameters because of this merciless pandemic. Father God, give us exacting mercy at the time most needed, patience and understanding for each other, and the will and mindset to pursue Your mercy and grace even more. Lord, Your redemption awaits us as Easter approaches, yet Your redemption already empowers us now. There are heroes among us, many in the spotlight and many undercover. However You choose to use us in this time, let us be obedient to Your calling and humble in our approach. Expand our gifts for the greater Good, and multiply Your servants to proclaim the Hope in a world shuttered from Your Light. Thank You Lord for Your mercy given to us, and we pray for You to be merciful again on those in need and the wisdom to embrace it. Amen
Psalm 10:17 NKJV "Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will prepare their heart; You will cause Your ear to hear."
This week, we've seen some out-of-the-ordinary behaviors with the threat of the Coronavirus. Big box stores are running out of pallets of water and toilet paper, to mention a few of the essentials. Seems people are prepping for the possibility of self-quarantine and/or getting ill. Fights are breaking out, tension, anxiety.
Panic.
Of course it is important to take the necessary precautions, practice common sense and protect those that are more suceptible.
Humanity acting in fear.
Humanity acting impulsively.
Humanity weakend.
Humanity desperate.
~~~
I had a conversation with a dear friend this week. She shared an epiphany about herself, about life in the last few days. Reaching a place where she could relax, let go a bit, stand back, she felt things were falling into place. She could turn and look at her own reflection and say, OK, God, how about You and me; I want to seek Your purpose for me in this time of my life. I'm ready, for You have prepared me for more. I am so happy to hear this. She, more so of course.
Humanity in Christ, long-suffering and redeemed.
She felt at peace.
When I think about this friend, she has ALWAYS brought me peace in our friendship, always reflecting her Lord.
always serving Him in faith and love.
always persevering through trials.
always seeing a Good God through the hurts of life.
always sacrificing for others.
She lifted her head and felt His sunshine after a very long winter. Butterflies are sure to come.
Her prayerful spirit beams a ray of warmth on many, and now she wants to bask in His Love and Light for herself, concentrate on her own soul. What more is she going to discover? I can't wait to hear about it, share with each other.
~~~
One scenario is about fear and reaction and the other about love and trust.
Both situations critical, for one person, for many.
I know in the future, the conversations I hope to have will not be about what we fear, but how we received and reacted to God's provision and protection, how we allowed God to prepare our hearts and lives for His purposes when we followed His wisdom, how He is glorified in preparing us for more and our obedience in that calling.
...how we saw in the darkness and came out the other side.
...how we persevered through prayer and fellowship.
...how we prepared our own hearts to align with God's heart.
Who among you is truly preparing for eternity? Do we daily prepare our hearts to hear and receive more from the Lord? Is panic setting in or peace?
Lord, Thank You that Your Spirit continuously prepares us for Your good gifts. Our willing and humble spirits long for and hope to receive instruction, purpose, nuggets of wisdom and insight for this life. Lord, sometimes in preparedness actions, the road ahead may be even harder. You do not show us everything, but teach us to trust You. We see and delight in Your ways. Even in our preparing--obedience, we are shown where and taught how to see Your Grace and provident plan. We know there are seasons where our preparing is for the greater good and other times its for our own personal walk with You. Both Lord, glorify You when we cast out all fear and replace it with faith. We ask You Lord to calm us in times of anxiety, and call on You to lead us into a peaceful place of rest to receive more of Your plan and make You known, until we reach Your prepared Place for us,
Thankful for Your preparation for me on the Cross. Amen.
