Mercy, Justice, and Unmerited Grace

Last night some of my family members and I sat down to watch the movie, "Just Mercy."  It follows the story of a young lawyer, newly graduated from Harvard.  As an African American raised in the north, he goes to the south and meets a new kind of opposition to his work of representing prisoners on death row.  This young lawyer takes on an African American client accused of murdering a 19 year old white girl some years earlier.  Throughout his investigation he find unmistakable evidence of his client's innocence and uses the justice system as it was created to give the accused man a fair trial.  Yet, he is faced with overwhelming opposition from the white community -- police, judges, and residents alike. Despite that, this young lawyer fights the fear and racism he and his client and the African American community face.  To this day he and his team have saved over 140 people from death row.

This powerful film brought tears to my eyes throughout multiple scenes.  Some were tears of horror at the blatant disregard of clear evidence and constitutional rights. Some were tears of relief and amazement within beautiful moments of redemption and truth.  

Near the end of the film, this young lawyer says, 

"we all need mercy, we all need justice, 

and-perhaps-we all need some measure of unmerited grace."

In hearing this quote, the feeling that had been building within me throughout the entire story was locked into place.  I had to ask myself if I gave those in my sphere of influence mercy, justice, and grace.  Do I jump to conclusions about others based on superfluous characteristics?  What can I do to get to know those around me on a truer level?  How do I stand up for those who are treated wrongly?  

This quote reminded me also of my Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ.  The hand of mercy that is extended toward me that will fulfill the law of justice as I accept his unimaginable grace in my life.  He is there for me.  And that means he is there for you: male or female, black or white, bond or free.  If I am to extend mercy, justice, and grace to others in my life, I need to become more like Christ, as He is the perfect example of just that.  As we each put our efforts into developing ourselves into true disciples of Christ who love Him and His gospel, I truly believe we can see unprecedented healing in our individual lives, our community, and our nation.  

This is not a "one-size fits all".  This is not a pretty bandage thrown on a broken leg.  What does becoming a true disciple of Christ look like?  I believe it means speaking up and holding a standard.  I believe it means wanting a better world for everyone.  I believe it means reaching out to lift those who have been pushed down and oppressed.  It means supporting, loving, seeing, understanding, and walking hand in hand with our brothers and sisters. It means helping others get to that point, helping them heal, and then encouraging them to in turn, reach out to others who need them. What would the world look like if we all treated each other that way? 

Getting to that point is a different journey for everyone and it's certainly not easy. But in the end, we're not doing it alone. We can do it together as we each extend mercy and grace to each other, standing for justice in the true sense of the word.

I know I don't understand a great deal of the current fight.  I know I've lived a very comfortable life, although not one without difficult struggle.  I know I could never know what it's like to walk in the shoes of my black brothers and sisters.  But I hope to be able to walk next to them.  To support and uplift and befriend and love and work with them.  To hope for a better world.