Mercy

Posted by Scott Shoopman on Aug 25, 2010 | 1 comment

Recently, I started working for a company (Williams & Associates) that supplies the management for a warehouse for World Vision. So, I am working part-time managing a World Vision warehouse in Franklin – and loving it! It’s like God ordained my life’s experiences to culminate into this job. I have learned much about World Vision in a short period of time and am amazed at the depth of their commitment to the world’s poor and marginalized.

Rich Stearns, the CEO of World Vision, has written a book called, “The Hole in Our Gospel”. In this book, he details the events leading up to his acceptance of the position at World Vision. Reading this book, I cannot help but think of Susan Howerton (Our Missions Minister), her gift of Mercy and her “heart for missions”. I have known Susan for 7 years – since I started at The Bridge. Immediately, I knew that Susan’s heart was Missionally minded and throughout the years, I have often commented how I just didn’t SEE the needs like Susan. Susan is simply “gifted” in this area. My level of Mercy is on the low end of the scale… True, she is Missionally minded, but this week I read a passage quite differently than I have ever  read.

Yesterday I read a viewpoint from Rich Stearns about the “Good Samaritan” (click here) that really took me out at the knees. The way the Priest and Levite acted toward the wounded man, is too much like the way I have viewed the “needy” in my world. Have I walked to the opposite side of the road so I wouldn’t have to see the need? Is the simple fact of being intentional of extending mercy to our “neighbor” so hard to adopt?

World Vision does great work around the world caring for the poor and marginalized. Susan Howerton has the heart of World Vision and lives a life worthy of the “Good Samaritan”.

Thank you Susan for your example of missional living and self-less devotion to Jesus.