Mercy and Pooh

I’m pretty certain we were the only adults without kids sitting in the recent showing of Christopher Robin, the movie. The premise is pretty simple: In Christopher Robin’s younger days, he had imaginary friends named Winnie-the-Pooh, Tigger, and Eeyore – among others – who lived in the Hundred Acre Wood. The problem? As an adult, Christopher Robin has slowly begun to lose his imagination and, well, has grown old. That’s when his childhood imaginary friends come to the rescue, and what follows is the beautiful return to joy and child-like faith.

Winnie-the-Pooh was one of my favorites growing up. I think that if we look at Pooh and his friends, we can all see a little of ourselves in each of them. One scene from Christopher Robin particularly struck me: As Christopher Robin revisits the Hundred Acre Wood, he is walking along the river bank when Eeyore, his stuffed donkey friend, suddenly appears floating downstream on his back. “Have you fallen in?” Christopher Robin asks. Trying to appear in complete control, Eeyore answers, “Silly of me, wasn’t it?” Christopher’s response was the polite but necessary advice to be more careful. Now, in greater need than ever, Eeyore politely thanks him for the advice. The only problem? The question wasn’t really followed with action. Eeyore slowly continues to sink in the river. As Christopher Robin brings the matter to his attention, Eeyore asks if he would mind rescuing him from the river. So, Christopher Robin pulls him to the shore. Eeyore, ever the complainer, apologizes for the bother when Christopher Robin simply responds, “Don’t be silly… you should have said something sooner.”

It’s crazy to think that we would watch anyone sink without jumping in to lift them up. However, it’s quite possible there are people sinking around us on a daily basis. And this, my friends, is the beauty of mercy. Remember the definition I gave last Sunday?

This is the beauty of Jesus Christ. Christ met people in the margins. He saw those sinking in their mistakes, their ailments, their sin, and He threw them the lifeline of His goodness, His mercy and His compassion. And then? He called us to do the same.

Hear these words from Paul:

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. (1 Timothy 1:15-16)
As we continue in our series on James, let’s remember that we’re to be a reflection of God’s mercy within our own lives. Scripture is not saying we have to be best friends with everyone; however, Christian community should be more than friendly – it should be family.

May we all have eyes that see, feet that move, and hands that help up those who have fallen.