“Be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭6‬:‭36‬ ‭CSB‬‬

“Pay it forward” is apparently an ancient concept. And here I thought it was a movement that started in 1999 with a book and a movie. But no, it’s much older than that. In fact, today’s verse is a version of the ‘pay it forward’ idea.

To pay it forward, when someone does something kind for me, instead of returning the favor to that person, I do something kind for someone else I encounter later.

In today’s verse, God has done something very kind for me. And in return, I am to be equally kind to those I meet.

But kind is too small a word in this case. God didn’t just buy me a coffee or open a door for me. He sent His son to die in my place, when I absolutely deserved to die. He forgave me fully, completely, and eternally before I even had a chance to be grateful.

Am I supposed to pay that forward? Well, chances are slim that I will ever be in the position to die in someone else’s place, but yeah, to truly pay God’s mercy forward, I should be willing. And I should definitely keep that in mind when I’m deciding how to treat other people.

It kind of puts being cut off in traffic into perspective. Do I react with anger and retaliation or do I forgive them, give them extra space in the lane, and wish them a safe and speedy journey with a smile.

Forgiveness is the key. Especially when it is undeserved, un-asked-for, and even unnoticed forgiveness. Mercy came to me when I did not deserve it, and mercy should be the only thing coming from me.

Dear God,

Thank you so much for your mercy. I am so grateful and glad to receive it. Teach me how to pay your love forward as I move through my days. Forgive me for treating others the way they treat me instead of the way you treated me.