The weekly Five Minute Friday word prompt for this week is “mercy.”

“But what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, love mercy/kindness and walk humbly with your God.”-Micah 6:8

I immediately thought of this Bible verse when I heard the word prompt this week. This was my seminary class’ verse. It is on a banner that hangs in my office at church. This is how I want to live my life. I want to fight for justice. I want to love kindness. I want to always walk with my God.

It also made me think of the book and movie Just Mercy which is written by Bryan Stevenson. This book is about the Equal Justice Initiative and their goal to help those who have been wrongly accused. It is also a book about racism and how we still have work to do. I watched the movie in June when it was free on all streaming platforms. It also will be our book club book in December. Please if you haven’t read the book or movie, check it out. You might be surprised at what you learn.

Stevenson is quoted as saying, “The closer we get to mass incarceration and extreme levels of punishment, the more I believe it’s necessary to recognize that we all need mercy, we all need justice, and perhaps we all need some measure of unmerited grace.” Ponder that!

Because God‘s grace is a free gift given to us all.