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Day Six: Mercy’s Forgiveness

Awareness is a path to change, and change can lead to freedom—freedom from mitigating wrong actions that we often try to justify. Or maybe it’s freedom from blame since blame invites judgment and keeps our eyes anchored on us. The freedom thing is huge. And so is the compassion and empathy that comes with it (we’ve all been there).

Not long ago, the world watched forgiveness play out in a courtroom in Texas. Amber Guyger, a former police officer, was convicted of killing a man named Botham Jean in an unusual circumstance. Unaware she was on the wrong floor, Guyger entered Jean’s apartment thinking it was hers. Falsely assuming him to be an intruder, she pulled out her gun. The scenario turned tragic fast, leaving a family forever altered and a woman’s life permanently changed.

During Guyger’s sentencing, Jean’s family had an opportunity to speak. The surprise came when Botham’s brother, Brandt, presented Guyger with a speech, not of hatred but love. Before he finished speaking, he looked at her and said, “I forgive you.” He even went so far as to ask the judge permission to hug Guyger. Amid gasps and disbelief in the courtroom, he did. And between deep sobs, she melted into his shoulder. 

The power of forgiveness spoke volumes—becoming a lead story spreading across the airwaves and around the world, heralding thoughts of healing rather than rage and anger.

Forgiveness and grace act as the sparks that set mercy’s embers aflame, blessing the giver as much, if not more, than the receiver. Overwhelmed by forgiveness and overwhelmed by the gift of confession that looks like an indictment on the outside but is so counterintuitively filled with freedom on the inside. The patience and enormity and endlessness of it all. Why would God do it? Why would He save humanity through Jesus giving everything so that we could be set free?

He did it out of love for us. Overwhelming love. That perspective certainly frames our day a little differently. With thoughts of endless forgiveness as vast as the drops in the ocean filling our minds, we are free to consider more than ourselves or the moment before us, inviting mercy into the conversation.

If your sense of justice feels stronger than your desire to extend mercy (and most of us are wired like that), ask Jesus to shape you as he wants. He will be faithful.