2 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. (Phillipians 1:2 NLT)
I know that Paul is using a standard style of starting letters which was common in the Roman empire at the time but I love this verse. He doesn't say May God ... give you power and faith. He says grace and peace. And boy, how much do we need Grace and Peace, in our world, our communities, ... oh, and in my life!!!
I love grace. It is such an amazing concept that I think most Christians (probably me included), don't fully understand or grasp the awesomeness of the truth. Most definitions use an explanation such as "unmerited favour" but that still only scratches the surface because grace is more than mercy. It would surely have been enough when Jesus died on the cross for me that I was freed from the punishment I deserved because of my sin and that is mercy and that is amazing. BUT there is more to Jesus' death and resurrection than that! Wow! Not only do I get forgiven but I receive grace; I am given what I don't deserve - a life in God's family as a child of God and an eternity in His presence. I receive all the blessings of sonship and yet I don't deserve a single one of them. That's just plain ... ridiculous. Why would God, who is majestic and mighty, choose to bless me with all of his riches in glory when I have done nothing to deserve it. Because of love! Luke 15:11-32 tells the story of the prodigal son (or the grace-filled father!). Mercy would have allowed the son to come back as one of the servants but grace puts the robe on his back and the ring on his finger and the shoes on his feet and says "this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found." (Luke 15:24 - TNIV). I need grace and I need to live grace towards others so that I don't become like the elder brother and miss the whole point!
And then there's peace. I work in an office where there is often lots of stress, anxiety and worry particularly at the moment as the NHS in Wales is undergoing a huge amount of reorganisation. And yet, what I need in my life is peace. Peace, more than an absence of conflict, is about wholeness, health, wellbeing, and a deep seated knowing that I am loved and cared for by the creator of the universe and that no matter what happens I am safe in His hands. As I look around me at work, at home, in my community and all too often in the church, I see so much worrying and stressing and striving to 'make' things happen and change for the better. Yes, we need to be active in everything that God wants us to do but we also need to know deep down in our spirits and souls, that God is in control. He IS in charge, even though it often doesn't look that way. So why don't I always live a life full of peace?!!! Oh, that's a good question. Is my relationship with God not strong enough? Do I doubt God's love and plans for me? Am I focussing on the scale of the problem rather than the size of God? I suppose I need to look at how I relate to my kids. They aren't stressed or anxious about things because they know that daddy is in control (I obviously make a good show of it!!) and that because I love them, I will always make sure they are protected and care for. No problem is too big or complex because daddy will sort it out (or mummy if it involves gluing bits of a toy back together!). Perhaps this is why Jesus said we need to have faith like a child - simple, uncomplicated trust - leading to ... peace!
Heavenly Lord, I thank you that you know what I need more than I do and that you want to give me grace and peace. Help me to understand grace and live in it each and every day and help me not to be condemning of those around me but to show them the same grace that I have received. Let me never be ungrateful for all that has been given to me because of Your sacrifice and grant me peace. Peace in the midst of storms. Peace in the midst of worry. Peace in the midst of a peace-less world. Let me live each day in the wholeness, health, provision and ... peace that you give. A peace that passes all understanding. In Jesus name I pray. Amen
No comments:
Post a Comment