Renew: To Transform, Be Transformed by God’s MercySample

"To transform, we must be transformed."

This quote has continued to stir my spirit and renew my mindset since I first read it.

We were brainstorming for an inspirational quote to put on a YMCA staff t-shirt to shape our culture and keep reminding us of who we are trying to be as leaders.

I pitched a few ideas to my friend who'd given me this assignment, but they didn’t feel quite right. As we interacted with them, she suggested the brilliant “to transform” quote she'd gotten from another Y leader we both respected, based on a talk he gave inspired by Romans 12:1-2.

As leaders called to love, care and serve those in our organization and sphere of influence, there is usually a transformative vision that emerges in our heart about who we could become together in all of this.

Eventually, though, problems emerge amongst those we lead, and it becomes clear that it's not the complexity of the tactical or practical challenges we face, but our own spirits, minds, attitudes, perspectives, and our harsh and unmerciful ego.

If we want to see transformation happen in spirits and mindsets, it has to start within us.

How?

The invitation is given to leaders to see the world from a different point of view: first, can you see the mercy God has for you?

Second, can you receive God’s mercy as a gift?

What is mercy?

For Christians, we view it from the point of view of Jesus: empathy and kindness shown towards someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

Why does mercy matter so much? It sets people free to start over again; it’s also the heart of the gospel.

More than worship songs or prayers, we experience the favor of God when we embody mercy sacrificially with those around us; this is what we were set aside to do as Christians, this is our holy calling in this harsh, hurting, and vengeful world.

Experience shows us that mercy transforms the one who receives it as a gift and the one who gives it as such. Forgiveness as an act of mercy sets us free to start over again.

May you continue to live in view of God’s mercy: it’s the starting point for truly seeing one another with the eyes and heart of Jesus.