In this time and era, and in the world we live in now, it has become so easy to criticise, judge, condemn and cancel people, yet they fail to know that mercy can actually transform the person into a better human. In a world full of judgement, mercy can extend to forgiveness and compassion, even when judgement is justified. Mercy is not about ignoring the mistakes of the offender nor turning a blind eye to the wrongs, rather it is about responding with love, care, understanding, and the hopes that the person can, and will change. With mercy in place, no one is a "write off." However, mercy needs a level of maturity, humanity and a deep empathy to be given.
Everyday you live and interact with people, you will definitely encounter situations that will test how you will respond to people's faults and errors - to know if you will follow it up with judgement or you will employ mercy. Humans can make mistakes, or can even offend in ways you may never expect, yet there will always be room for mercy. The natural instinct of a lot of people at the face of offences is to judge the person and criticise them. But mercy has a way of overriding this instinct. The natural instinct will say "you have offended, you will be punished and face the consequences." But mercy will say "I can see the wrong, but I believe you will be better if given a second chance."
There was something that happened many years ago when I was in secondary school, which showed me the power of mercy. During one of our exams in our senior secondary school, the teacher caught one of the students cheating in the exams. Everyone thought that it was over for the student and that she would fail the exam, and that she will be reported to the management. However, the teacher took a different route. After the exam, he called her to his office to enquire why she would involve in such act, and what prompted her to do that. He knows that the act was inexcusable, but he also wanted to know her reasons.
It was during the private chat with her that he got to find out that the student was battling with depression, with a lot of family issues. In fact, that morning of exams, she did not take off from her house but from a friend's house because she had run from the house the previous night because of family issues. Instead of punishing her for cheating, he offered her help - he gave her guidance, some motivation, emotional support, and a second chance. Fast forward to years later, she became a lawyer and then got attached with an NGO which is tasked with the responsibility of "Girl-child Empowerment" and doing very well. She attributed her success and transformation in life to the second chance given to her by the teacher. If he had cancelled her immediately because of her actions, he may have killed that future.
It is true that wrongdoings do not have to be condoned, yet people should not be condemned at first offence - learn the power of mercy. If everyone was to be condemned at first offence, do you think you would have made it this far yourself?
Mercy offers people the opportunity and chance to become better, to learn, to grow, and to change for good. Imagine how the world would be if people choose mercy over instant judgement. Instead of burning bridges with judgement, build the bridges with mercy?
It is worthy to note that everyone needs mercy. You will agree with me that no human is neither infallible nor perfect, and no one with absolutely no mistake. You are not the only one who needs mercy, others do need it too, and you should have it in mind. If you want to receive mercy, then you must have to be willing to give it. Always have in mind that showing mercy is not an act of weakness, rather it show a higher form of strength.
Thanks for reading
