Celebrating God's Grace
Spirituality
John T. Collins
Living And Loving God’s Message
Object:
Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand.
-- Romans 5:1
Paul Tillich, one of the twentieth century's finest theologians, once tried to capture the beauty and splendor of God's grace in a series of now-famous sermons and journal articles. He wrote:
Grace strikes us when we are in great pain and restlessness, when we feel that our separation is deeper than usual, when our disgust for our own being, our indifference, our weakness, our hostility and our lack of direction and composure have become intolerable to us. When, year after year, the longed-for perfection of life does not appear, when the compulsions reign within us as they have for decades, when despair destroys all joy and courage. Sometimes at that moment a wave of light breaks into our darkness, and it is as though a voice were saying: "You are accepted. You are accepted, accepted by that which is greater than you." We may not be better than before, we may not believe more than before. But everything is transformed and nothing is demanded of this experience ... nothing but acceptance.2
Perhaps you've found yourself in great pain and restlessness at some point in your life. Maybe it was like wandering through a wilderness place for longer than you thought you could withstand. Or maybe you're there now. Wherever you find yourself today I'd like to share with you a story about a man named Tom.
Tom's story started in a little Episcopalian church somewhere in New Jersey.3 He was baptized as an infant, attended Sunday school classes where he first heard the gospel message of Jesus Christ's love for the world, and made his confirmation when he was still in middle school. From the surface, he was a rather ordinary child.
But his life in high school would become anything but ordinary. He recalls that at his very first party, where friends from his school partied in the woods into the wee hours of the night, he got so drunk that he couldn't remember the next day how he had gotten home. In fact, to make matters worse, his entire high school experience would become one big blur.
From high school, Tom went on to experiment with drugs. He worked odd jobs so that he could support his habit and when he was questioned by his parents about his slothful behavior, he'd make up grand stories about one day going back to school to study art and music.
That day never came. The only picture he had painted of himself was that of an addicted, desperate young man who had lost himself along the way. For Tom there would be no higher education or opportunities for self-advancement. There would only be courtrooms, jail cells, and various hospitals to treat his mental and physical pain. For Tom, it was like wandering in a wilderness place with no direction home.
Many wondered what had happened to the young boy whom everyone loved. What happened to the boy who came to church every Sunday and listened to the priest deliver the gospel message of God's amazing grace?
One morning, after a three-day run with cocaine, Tom woke up early in a cheap motel room on the other side of town. He slowly got out of bed, rubbed his eyes, and went over to the window to see what time of the day it was. He opened the shades just enough to let a glimmer of light into the room, and for whatever reason, the beauty of a new day touched Tom in the deepest part of his spirit, giving him a momentary taste of peace and serenity.
He just stood there, he said, thinking about where his life had taken him and wanting more than anything else to end the craziness. So he did what he hadn't done in years -- he prayed! He prayed that God would lift the obsession of doing drugs and replace it with peace and serenity. Somewhere in that motel room, clutching onto the shades as if they were a life preserver in rough seas, Tom experienced God's amazing grace.
They say that everyone has a story and today Tom continues to live out his own. He is the man who comes up to receive Communion every Sunday with tears in his eyes thanking Jesus Christ for delivering him from the clutches of hell. He's the one who will belt out songs like it's nobody's business (even though he couldn't carry a tune if his life depended on it). He is even found most Sunday mornings helping to put the chairs away after coffee hour. He's the one who shows compassion for those still struggling to live with an addiction.
I chose to tell Tom's story because it is such a beautiful example of how God can change someone's life for the better. Yes, he had traveled a road that none of us in our right mind would want to travel. Yes, he was lost and found his way back home. Yes, he's now a pleasure to talk with and an inspiration to the people around him. But what makes Tom so special in my mind is that somewhere on his journey he came to understand, and most importantly, accept God's grace. On any given Sunday Tom will tell you that worship is all about celebrating that gift.
The Way We Celebrate
Christians have such a rich tradition when it comes to their worship. I, for one, love the music and listening to preachers belt out God's word with conviction. I love watching a baptism and receiving communion. I love the elements of mystery that permeate our faith. I love the way liturgy can become like a dance movement when it's done well. I love the drama and the unexpected epiphany moments that remind us of who we are and whose we are. Most of all I love to see people who are passionate about God's amazing grace.
What comes to mind when you think about people who are passionate about God's grace? Perhaps for some it will be the image of a neighbor who recently joined the charismatic church down the road who can't stop telling you what you should or should not do if you want to be saved. If so, there's nothing wrong with that image or that person.
Maybe you think about the man who stands on the street corner with a microphone in one hand and a Bible in the other hand -- shouting about the end times and the wrath of God's judgment on the world. Theology aside for a moment, I think that image is fine, as well. I mean, let's face it, you have to be pretty passionate if you're going to stand on a street corner all day.
Perhaps the image of a saint is conjured up or a martyr who died for what she believed. These are all good examples of what passionate, spiritual people look like. Let me see if I can give you another example, one that is oftentimes overlooked and undervalued in the church today.
Years ago, I knew a woman named Eileen whose daughter committed suicide in the basement of their home. Needless to say, this tragedy scarred Eileen in ways I can only imagine. She was a quiet, rather gentle kind of a person who always put the needs of others before her own. She was also the "volunteer" secretary of her church.
From first glance, Eileen fits the mold of most Christians we see. She is reserved, humble as opposed to bold in her proclamation of faith, and fairly quiet when it comes to giving her testimony. She prefers to remain low-key and under the radar screen, rather than be the center of attention.
But what many don't know about Eileen is that she is also one of the most committed people in her church. Whenever the church boiler breaks down, Eileen sends in an anonymous gift to fix it. If the church ladies are baking cookies or pies for a special occasion, Eileen will bake ten times what was asked of her. She sends cards to the shut-ins not because she has to, but because that's the person she has become. And everyone who knows her -- loves her.
In some ways she has taken Saint Francis of Assisi's words to heart: "Every where you go preach the gospel message, and if necessary use words!"
She does all of this because somewhere along the way she found God's love in the church she's been a part of for as long as anyone can remember. It was there that a community of friends helped her get through the death of her daughter, and each day of the week she finds her own authentic way to celebrate God's amazing grace and give back to the people she loves. Eileen, in her own special way, is as passionate as a Christian can be because her celebration comes from the heart.
Sometimes we're led to believe that passionate Christians have to be loud and visible. Now I'm not saying that there's anything wrong with those who are, but what I want you to also understand is that being passionate about God's grace can express itself in so many ways. There's not a right way or a wrong way. But the best way to celebrate God's grace is by letting that celebration come from your own heart.
Celebration From The Heart
They say that everyone has a story. That means you also have a wonderful story to tell. Your life has been at times exciting and beautiful and perhaps lonely, depressing, or downright frightening. Somewhere along the way, because you are a spiritual being, I want to guess that you've had your own encounter with the Lord. At some point you've stood in awe or felt relieved that a burden was removed. Perhaps, like Job you wrestled with God to find acceptance.
Wherever your faith has taken you I want you to take a moment to think about your own story. Where has the risen Christ been visible in your life? When did you come to understand and appreciate that your past is forgiven and your whole being is deeply loved by God? What feelings arise as you read Deuteronomy 7:6, which says, "For you are a people holy to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on earth to be his people, his treasured possession"?
Christians who celebrate God's grace with a passionate spirituality are always seeking to answer those questions. They come to a worshiping community bringing with them their own story by weaving it together with their faith. It's their own personal experiences that are deeply rooted in their hearts. Why? Because they've lived it and witnessed it, but most importantly, they've embraced it.
What part of your own story can you embrace? Have you been overlooking or ignoring the turning points of your faith life? Do you take too lightly the presence of Christ in your daily affairs?
Perhaps for some it is as simple as growing in a deeper appreciation of your baptism, of table fellowship on Sunday morning, or the blessings you received in hearing your pastor preach a sermon. Maybe you've experienced God's grace as you went through a divorce or after the death of a loved one. Take the time to embrace your story, whatever it may be, and believe that it is unique. Because by embracing it, and seeing that God is working in you on a very personal level, you'll be more likely to want to passionately celebrate God's amazing grace on a daily basis.
Celebration In All Of Our Affairs
Saint Paul was a man that most people of his day respected. At least, that is to say, if they were Christians and striving to become as passionate as he was in their faith lives. His letters were not only read to the churches they were addressed to, and were considered to be inspired by the Holy Spirit, but they were also treasured as scripture throughout the centuries. To this day, churches around the world read his letters with the utmost respect and admiration.
Here's something encouraging for you and me to think about: Saint Paul never claimed to reach a level of perfection. He always saw himself as he actually was -- as broken and in need of a Savior. It was this level of rigorous honesty that allowed him to write this in Romans 7:15: "I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate." And then he writes further on in verse 24: "Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!"
You see, being passionate about celebrating God's amazing grace doesn't mean that we have to first become perfect. In fact, what we learn from Saint Paul is that the more he recognized his own shortcomings, the more he grew to appreciate God's gift of forgiveness, redemption, and renewal.
Someone once told me that the most spiritual thing a person can do is to first recognize that they are a sinner. That might sound overwhelming to some of us, but what it means is that only by first recognizing that we have fallen short of God's glory we are then in a position to see that we even need a Savior at all. It requires rigorous honesty about who we are and what we've done, but in doing so it opens the door to a greater appreciation of what Christ has done for us.
Passionate Christians are humble not by nature, but by reflecting daily on the truth. The truth says that we are not deserving of God's grace, nor have we earned it. Nor could we ever earn it. Instead, Christians with a passionate spirituality realize that it is a beautiful gift granted to us. A gift so great that the very salvation of our spirit depends upon it. The promise of everlasting life for all who believe!
This thought might seem foreign to the non-Christian, but this message is central to the faith life of a Christian. It's the reason we can daily celebrate and actually get excited. In fact, 1 Corinthians 1:18 says, "For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."
Christians with a passionate spirituality look for ways to show their thanksgiving to Jesus Christ in all of their affairs. Whether it be by following our Lord's call to love our neighbor, or by getting on our knees and praising him for his mercy and his love. It's the power of God working through them and through the people we meet that makes every day a new reason to celebrate and give God our best.
Bringing Celebration Back Into The Church
In many ways I was inspired to write this book because I believe that too many churches have forgotten to celebrate God's amazing grace in ways that capture the essence of the gospel message. In other words, Christians are people granted good news of God's forgiveness and love, and yet when we look out to see the faces of people in our congregations, so often we see anything but excitement. Too often churches become routine, predictable, and shall we say it? Boring!
I'm wise enough to realize that there are many reasons why this may seem true. Perhaps we could blame the pastors for being out of touch. Maybe it's the music director who keeps playing the same old hymns week after week. If you're the pastor you might even be tempted to blame the whole congregation for being boring and unexcitable people by nature. Let's face it, if we wanted to find out who was to blame we could all come up with a long list of names.
Have you ever stopped to think that maybe you're the one who is boring? Ouch! I know that might have blindsided you but think about it for a moment. Is there any truth to that statement? Could you be the one who is boring at church?
Now, of course, no one likes to admit that they're boring. I understand that and so do you, but let's go back to what we first said about rigorous honesty. It means that sometimes we have to take a good, solid look at ourselves and see the truth rather than the imaginary.
What excitement are you bringing to church? Are you one of those people who expect to be entertained on Sunday morning? Do you find yourself looking for mistakes made by those reading the lessons rather than actually focusing on what the text says? Do you sing so low that you can't even hear what you're singing? Have you ever told the newcomer, "Hey, that's my seat!"
It's been my experience in meeting and serving with Christians who practice passionate spirituality that they are keenly aware of what they bring to church on Sunday mornings, and they do so for the glory of God. They are less worried about who is to blame and more focused on their own contribution.
I remember meeting Charlie (a man in his late eighties) when I returned to my home parish while I was doing my undergraduate studies. What impressed me the most about Charlie was how energetic and excited he was to be there every Sunday morning. He was an usher and without missing a beat Charlie hugged every single person who walked through that door.
One day I remember asking Charlie why he was always so happy and so excited about Sunday mornings. He simply said, "I'm just doing my part!" That always kind of stuck with me.
Are you doing your part? Do you bring any excitement to church on Sunday or do you just sit there waiting to be moved or entertained?
Let me close with something I have learned from Christians who practice a passionate spirituality: Church will never be boring if you understand and remember that it's not about you. It's about worshiping and praising God for his amazing and awesome grace!
Time For Reflection
1. Think of a time you experienced God's amazing grace. What happened? What were the emotions that you felt? Who did you share it with? How did it change your life?
2. How do you celebrate God's amazing grace today?
3. What describes God's grace for you?
4. Where do you experience God's amazing grace most?
5. If you could say one thing to God right now for what he has done in your life what would you say? How would you show your appreciation?
-- Romans 5:1
Paul Tillich, one of the twentieth century's finest theologians, once tried to capture the beauty and splendor of God's grace in a series of now-famous sermons and journal articles. He wrote:
Grace strikes us when we are in great pain and restlessness, when we feel that our separation is deeper than usual, when our disgust for our own being, our indifference, our weakness, our hostility and our lack of direction and composure have become intolerable to us. When, year after year, the longed-for perfection of life does not appear, when the compulsions reign within us as they have for decades, when despair destroys all joy and courage. Sometimes at that moment a wave of light breaks into our darkness, and it is as though a voice were saying: "You are accepted. You are accepted, accepted by that which is greater than you." We may not be better than before, we may not believe more than before. But everything is transformed and nothing is demanded of this experience ... nothing but acceptance.2
Perhaps you've found yourself in great pain and restlessness at some point in your life. Maybe it was like wandering through a wilderness place for longer than you thought you could withstand. Or maybe you're there now. Wherever you find yourself today I'd like to share with you a story about a man named Tom.
Tom's story started in a little Episcopalian church somewhere in New Jersey.3 He was baptized as an infant, attended Sunday school classes where he first heard the gospel message of Jesus Christ's love for the world, and made his confirmation when he was still in middle school. From the surface, he was a rather ordinary child.
But his life in high school would become anything but ordinary. He recalls that at his very first party, where friends from his school partied in the woods into the wee hours of the night, he got so drunk that he couldn't remember the next day how he had gotten home. In fact, to make matters worse, his entire high school experience would become one big blur.
From high school, Tom went on to experiment with drugs. He worked odd jobs so that he could support his habit and when he was questioned by his parents about his slothful behavior, he'd make up grand stories about one day going back to school to study art and music.
That day never came. The only picture he had painted of himself was that of an addicted, desperate young man who had lost himself along the way. For Tom there would be no higher education or opportunities for self-advancement. There would only be courtrooms, jail cells, and various hospitals to treat his mental and physical pain. For Tom, it was like wandering in a wilderness place with no direction home.
Many wondered what had happened to the young boy whom everyone loved. What happened to the boy who came to church every Sunday and listened to the priest deliver the gospel message of God's amazing grace?
One morning, after a three-day run with cocaine, Tom woke up early in a cheap motel room on the other side of town. He slowly got out of bed, rubbed his eyes, and went over to the window to see what time of the day it was. He opened the shades just enough to let a glimmer of light into the room, and for whatever reason, the beauty of a new day touched Tom in the deepest part of his spirit, giving him a momentary taste of peace and serenity.
He just stood there, he said, thinking about where his life had taken him and wanting more than anything else to end the craziness. So he did what he hadn't done in years -- he prayed! He prayed that God would lift the obsession of doing drugs and replace it with peace and serenity. Somewhere in that motel room, clutching onto the shades as if they were a life preserver in rough seas, Tom experienced God's amazing grace.
They say that everyone has a story and today Tom continues to live out his own. He is the man who comes up to receive Communion every Sunday with tears in his eyes thanking Jesus Christ for delivering him from the clutches of hell. He's the one who will belt out songs like it's nobody's business (even though he couldn't carry a tune if his life depended on it). He is even found most Sunday mornings helping to put the chairs away after coffee hour. He's the one who shows compassion for those still struggling to live with an addiction.
I chose to tell Tom's story because it is such a beautiful example of how God can change someone's life for the better. Yes, he had traveled a road that none of us in our right mind would want to travel. Yes, he was lost and found his way back home. Yes, he's now a pleasure to talk with and an inspiration to the people around him. But what makes Tom so special in my mind is that somewhere on his journey he came to understand, and most importantly, accept God's grace. On any given Sunday Tom will tell you that worship is all about celebrating that gift.
The Way We Celebrate
Christians have such a rich tradition when it comes to their worship. I, for one, love the music and listening to preachers belt out God's word with conviction. I love watching a baptism and receiving communion. I love the elements of mystery that permeate our faith. I love the way liturgy can become like a dance movement when it's done well. I love the drama and the unexpected epiphany moments that remind us of who we are and whose we are. Most of all I love to see people who are passionate about God's amazing grace.
What comes to mind when you think about people who are passionate about God's grace? Perhaps for some it will be the image of a neighbor who recently joined the charismatic church down the road who can't stop telling you what you should or should not do if you want to be saved. If so, there's nothing wrong with that image or that person.
Maybe you think about the man who stands on the street corner with a microphone in one hand and a Bible in the other hand -- shouting about the end times and the wrath of God's judgment on the world. Theology aside for a moment, I think that image is fine, as well. I mean, let's face it, you have to be pretty passionate if you're going to stand on a street corner all day.
Perhaps the image of a saint is conjured up or a martyr who died for what she believed. These are all good examples of what passionate, spiritual people look like. Let me see if I can give you another example, one that is oftentimes overlooked and undervalued in the church today.
Years ago, I knew a woman named Eileen whose daughter committed suicide in the basement of their home. Needless to say, this tragedy scarred Eileen in ways I can only imagine. She was a quiet, rather gentle kind of a person who always put the needs of others before her own. She was also the "volunteer" secretary of her church.
From first glance, Eileen fits the mold of most Christians we see. She is reserved, humble as opposed to bold in her proclamation of faith, and fairly quiet when it comes to giving her testimony. She prefers to remain low-key and under the radar screen, rather than be the center of attention.
But what many don't know about Eileen is that she is also one of the most committed people in her church. Whenever the church boiler breaks down, Eileen sends in an anonymous gift to fix it. If the church ladies are baking cookies or pies for a special occasion, Eileen will bake ten times what was asked of her. She sends cards to the shut-ins not because she has to, but because that's the person she has become. And everyone who knows her -- loves her.
In some ways she has taken Saint Francis of Assisi's words to heart: "Every where you go preach the gospel message, and if necessary use words!"
She does all of this because somewhere along the way she found God's love in the church she's been a part of for as long as anyone can remember. It was there that a community of friends helped her get through the death of her daughter, and each day of the week she finds her own authentic way to celebrate God's amazing grace and give back to the people she loves. Eileen, in her own special way, is as passionate as a Christian can be because her celebration comes from the heart.
Sometimes we're led to believe that passionate Christians have to be loud and visible. Now I'm not saying that there's anything wrong with those who are, but what I want you to also understand is that being passionate about God's grace can express itself in so many ways. There's not a right way or a wrong way. But the best way to celebrate God's grace is by letting that celebration come from your own heart.
Celebration From The Heart
They say that everyone has a story. That means you also have a wonderful story to tell. Your life has been at times exciting and beautiful and perhaps lonely, depressing, or downright frightening. Somewhere along the way, because you are a spiritual being, I want to guess that you've had your own encounter with the Lord. At some point you've stood in awe or felt relieved that a burden was removed. Perhaps, like Job you wrestled with God to find acceptance.
Wherever your faith has taken you I want you to take a moment to think about your own story. Where has the risen Christ been visible in your life? When did you come to understand and appreciate that your past is forgiven and your whole being is deeply loved by God? What feelings arise as you read Deuteronomy 7:6, which says, "For you are a people holy to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on earth to be his people, his treasured possession"?
Christians who celebrate God's grace with a passionate spirituality are always seeking to answer those questions. They come to a worshiping community bringing with them their own story by weaving it together with their faith. It's their own personal experiences that are deeply rooted in their hearts. Why? Because they've lived it and witnessed it, but most importantly, they've embraced it.
What part of your own story can you embrace? Have you been overlooking or ignoring the turning points of your faith life? Do you take too lightly the presence of Christ in your daily affairs?
Perhaps for some it is as simple as growing in a deeper appreciation of your baptism, of table fellowship on Sunday morning, or the blessings you received in hearing your pastor preach a sermon. Maybe you've experienced God's grace as you went through a divorce or after the death of a loved one. Take the time to embrace your story, whatever it may be, and believe that it is unique. Because by embracing it, and seeing that God is working in you on a very personal level, you'll be more likely to want to passionately celebrate God's amazing grace on a daily basis.
Celebration In All Of Our Affairs
Saint Paul was a man that most people of his day respected. At least, that is to say, if they were Christians and striving to become as passionate as he was in their faith lives. His letters were not only read to the churches they were addressed to, and were considered to be inspired by the Holy Spirit, but they were also treasured as scripture throughout the centuries. To this day, churches around the world read his letters with the utmost respect and admiration.
Here's something encouraging for you and me to think about: Saint Paul never claimed to reach a level of perfection. He always saw himself as he actually was -- as broken and in need of a Savior. It was this level of rigorous honesty that allowed him to write this in Romans 7:15: "I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate." And then he writes further on in verse 24: "Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!"
You see, being passionate about celebrating God's amazing grace doesn't mean that we have to first become perfect. In fact, what we learn from Saint Paul is that the more he recognized his own shortcomings, the more he grew to appreciate God's gift of forgiveness, redemption, and renewal.
Someone once told me that the most spiritual thing a person can do is to first recognize that they are a sinner. That might sound overwhelming to some of us, but what it means is that only by first recognizing that we have fallen short of God's glory we are then in a position to see that we even need a Savior at all. It requires rigorous honesty about who we are and what we've done, but in doing so it opens the door to a greater appreciation of what Christ has done for us.
Passionate Christians are humble not by nature, but by reflecting daily on the truth. The truth says that we are not deserving of God's grace, nor have we earned it. Nor could we ever earn it. Instead, Christians with a passionate spirituality realize that it is a beautiful gift granted to us. A gift so great that the very salvation of our spirit depends upon it. The promise of everlasting life for all who believe!
This thought might seem foreign to the non-Christian, but this message is central to the faith life of a Christian. It's the reason we can daily celebrate and actually get excited. In fact, 1 Corinthians 1:18 says, "For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."
Christians with a passionate spirituality look for ways to show their thanksgiving to Jesus Christ in all of their affairs. Whether it be by following our Lord's call to love our neighbor, or by getting on our knees and praising him for his mercy and his love. It's the power of God working through them and through the people we meet that makes every day a new reason to celebrate and give God our best.
Bringing Celebration Back Into The Church
In many ways I was inspired to write this book because I believe that too many churches have forgotten to celebrate God's amazing grace in ways that capture the essence of the gospel message. In other words, Christians are people granted good news of God's forgiveness and love, and yet when we look out to see the faces of people in our congregations, so often we see anything but excitement. Too often churches become routine, predictable, and shall we say it? Boring!
I'm wise enough to realize that there are many reasons why this may seem true. Perhaps we could blame the pastors for being out of touch. Maybe it's the music director who keeps playing the same old hymns week after week. If you're the pastor you might even be tempted to blame the whole congregation for being boring and unexcitable people by nature. Let's face it, if we wanted to find out who was to blame we could all come up with a long list of names.
Have you ever stopped to think that maybe you're the one who is boring? Ouch! I know that might have blindsided you but think about it for a moment. Is there any truth to that statement? Could you be the one who is boring at church?
Now, of course, no one likes to admit that they're boring. I understand that and so do you, but let's go back to what we first said about rigorous honesty. It means that sometimes we have to take a good, solid look at ourselves and see the truth rather than the imaginary.
What excitement are you bringing to church? Are you one of those people who expect to be entertained on Sunday morning? Do you find yourself looking for mistakes made by those reading the lessons rather than actually focusing on what the text says? Do you sing so low that you can't even hear what you're singing? Have you ever told the newcomer, "Hey, that's my seat!"
It's been my experience in meeting and serving with Christians who practice passionate spirituality that they are keenly aware of what they bring to church on Sunday mornings, and they do so for the glory of God. They are less worried about who is to blame and more focused on their own contribution.
I remember meeting Charlie (a man in his late eighties) when I returned to my home parish while I was doing my undergraduate studies. What impressed me the most about Charlie was how energetic and excited he was to be there every Sunday morning. He was an usher and without missing a beat Charlie hugged every single person who walked through that door.
One day I remember asking Charlie why he was always so happy and so excited about Sunday mornings. He simply said, "I'm just doing my part!" That always kind of stuck with me.
Are you doing your part? Do you bring any excitement to church on Sunday or do you just sit there waiting to be moved or entertained?
Let me close with something I have learned from Christians who practice a passionate spirituality: Church will never be boring if you understand and remember that it's not about you. It's about worshiping and praising God for his amazing and awesome grace!
Time For Reflection
1. Think of a time you experienced God's amazing grace. What happened? What were the emotions that you felt? Who did you share it with? How did it change your life?
2. How do you celebrate God's amazing grace today?
3. What describes God's grace for you?
4. Where do you experience God's amazing grace most?
5. If you could say one thing to God right now for what he has done in your life what would you say? How would you show your appreciation?
