The Gift of Grace
Stories
Contents
“The Gift of Grace” by Keith Wagner
“What If the Caller ID says G.O.D.?” by Keith Wagner
The Gift of Grace
by Keith Wagner
Psalm 103:1-8
One afternoon several years ago, Lin and I were sailing at Grand Lake St. Mary’s. It was very breezy and without warning the wind gusted and turned us completely around. The sails were set right. My hand was on the rudder. I was doing what I was supposed to do. But, the wind took us in a different direction. And that changed our plans for the rest of the day. We headed back in and to our dismay discovered that the motor malfunctioned. To make matters worse a storm appeared in the west. To avoid the storm we had to head back to the dock. We reached the dock just in time and quickly secured the boat. We jumped in our car and within minutes the storm hit.
There will in fact be times when the wind of God takes us in a direction we do not want to go. God’s grace is everywhere and here the psalmist is reminding us that God is “compassionate and gracious.”
Grace is all around us when we are willing to accept it. It can happen in a variety of ways. It might be some new person who appears in your life for the first time. It might be some resource that helps you through a time of struggle. Or perhaps it’s just some free time. Gifts of grace can lift our spirit and help us in times of need. I believe, however, that we have a problem with grace just as we have a problem with gifts. Just as we don’t know how to receive a gift we have difficulty in receiving grace.
God’s gift of grace is freely given. Most folks believe that to receive God’s grace there is some pattern or set of rules you must follow for that to happen. Our work ethic has conditioned us to think that we can somehow earn God’s grace. But, there is nothing that we can do, no set of instructions, no step-by-step process, no certain words to say that will bring grace upon us. The grace of God is an absolute free gift. It is initiated by God, not us.
Bill Moyer’s documentary film on the hymn "Amazing Grace" includes a scene filmed in Wembley Stadium in London. Various musical groups, mostly rock bands, had gathered together in celebration of the changes in South Africa, and for some reason the promoters scheduled an opera singer, Jessye Norman, as the closing act. The film cut back and forth between scenes of the unruly crowd in the stadium and Jessye Norman being interviewed. For twelve hours groups like Guns and Roses blasted the crowd through banks of speakers with loud music. The crowd yelled for more curtain calls, and the rock groups obliged.
Meanwhile, Jessye Norman sat in her dressing room discussing "Amazing Grace" with Bill Moyers. Finally, the time came for her to sing. A single circle of light followed Norman, a majestic African-American woman, wearing a flowing African dashiki, as she strolled on stage. The crowd stirred and they were restless. Few knew who the opera singer was. A voice yelled for the rock bands to return and others chimed in. Alone and with no accompaniment, Jessye Norman began to sing, but very slowly.
A remarkable thing happened in Wembley Stadium that night. Seventy thousand rowdy fans fell silent to the song, "Amazing Grace." By the time Norman sang the second verse, she had the whole crowd in her hands. When she sang the third verse, the crowd sang along with her.
Jessye Norman later confessed she had no idea what power descended on Wembly Stadium that night. Apparently, they thirsted for grace and grace they received.
In the film, Good Will Hunting, Robin Williams, who plays Sean, is counseling a young man by the name of Will. He is filled with guilt, feeling responsible for his abuse. At one point in the session Sean says to Will, "It’s not your fault, it’s not your fault, it’s not your fault." For the first time in his life, Will is able to receive the gift of grace and is forgiven.
God is incredibly compassionate and generous. God forgives and sets us free so we can continue on without guilt and shame hanging over our heads. Grace abounds, it exceeds our expectations. Grace is a gift that God wants us to receive with gratitude and thanksgiving. Grace can surprise us and come in ways we do not understand. Grace can liberate us from guilt, shame and despair. Grace enables us to see our way more clearly. Most importantly, as we receive grace, God also wants us to be givers of grace.
* * *
What If the Caller ID says G.O.D.?
by Keith Wagner
Jeremiah 1:4-10
In this age of electronic devices there is one that has become very popular. It’s the “Caller ID.”
This device can give you the number and name of the person who is ringing your telephone. Before you answer you know if it’s a salesperson or your mother-in-law. It’s an extremely useful device if you don’t want to have a conversation with whoever is calling.
What if a call was coming in and on the display it said, “G.O.D.?” What if this mysterious caller is none other than the Almighty? Would you let the phone ring? Would you go find someone else to answer it? Or, would you willingly pick up the receiver and say hello?
About the time the caller id became popular in the l990’s, I received a phone call that I did not recognize. I answered and it was from a member of a church that was searching for a new minister. There was no pressure on me to make an immediate commitment, for both the caller and I knew this process would take some time. But, responding to “the call” meant that my life would change. It meant relocating to a new place, leaving friends, finding a new home, changing personal services such as doctors and school systems. The move would affect our entire family. Accepting that call meant I would be starting a new life in an unknown place. It meant making new friends. It would not be a simple transition. The only way to make it was in faith.
When we say “yes” to God, it means changes will occur. Perhaps not as dramatic as what happens to a minister and his family when they relocate, but some things will simply have to change. If, for example you are asked to serve in some volunteer position, you have to make adjustments to be effective.
It’s a real challenge in today’s society to find people who are willing to serve in voluntary ways. Many are willing to help, but only on a short-term basis. Few are willing to commit to any long-term program for fear of having to give up their freedom.
One time I had a conversation with the area director of the scouting program. He was seeking leadership to supervise youth. He said it is just about impossible to find folks who would make that kind of personal commitment. I understood his dilemma. I was aware how hard our church nominating committee had to search for new leadership.
I don’t believe that people today are any less caring than they were in Jeremiah’s day. People want to help others, but they lack confidence in themselves to try or they are afraid of changes that have to be made. If God calls the response is, “Yeah, sure…Why would God call me?” As you can see, Jeremiah did not understand why God was calling him. “I am only a youth”, he said. “I am not capable of being your speaker.”
Jeremiah did not have any confidence in himself as a messenger of God. He immediately discounted the fact that God was calling him. He wasn’t making an excuse. He just didn’t believe that he was the man for the job. He was called to change the future, to help God’s people return to God. His call would not be met without resistance, nor would it be a simple task.
I suppose that fear is what holds us back. Fear is what keeps us from answering the call. Fear is what prevents us from saying “yes” to God. Jeremiah was afraid. He was no different than us. God knows he is afraid and God gives Jeremiah the reassurance he needs to proceed as a messenger. “Be not afraid,” God said, “I am with you to deliver you.”
When I was contemplating a call to a new church I was apprehensive, like Jeremiah. The church calling me was in a small town. Most of my experiences had been in large metropolitan areas. I shared my plight with several of my colleagues. One of them, a former Association Minister, reassured me. He said it would be a good church for me and I had the talents needed to do ministry there. His input helped me make my decision to make the change. I trusted his judgment and accepted the call.
My call to that new opportunity totally changed my life. The church grew and many new things happened. We created a radio ministry which led to a weekly radio broadcast that lasted almost twenty years. We did many renovations to the church building, including a video screen in the sanctuary. Several years after living in that new community I became an adjunct professor at a local college. Since we lived close to a lake, my wife and I had the opportunity to purchase a small cabin, which has become one of our favorite places to stay now that we are retired. I made many new friends and my new connections enabled me to become a writer for CSS Publishing. I am grateful for saying “yes” to that call. Had I said, “no,” my life may be quite different.
When we overcome our fears amazing things can happen. When our confidence is restored there is no limit to what we can do. Our challenges, our messages, our creative abilities can reach beyond familiar turf. We can meet new friends at any age, giving us hope and purpose.
*****************************************
StoryShare, August 25, 2019 issue.
Copyright 2019 by CSS Publishing Company, Inc., Lima, Ohio.
All rights reserved. Subscribers to the StoryShare service may print and use this material as it was intended in sermons, in worship and classroom settings, in brief devotions, in radio spots, and as newsletter fillers. No additional permission is required from the publisher for such use by subscribers only. Inquiries should be addressed to permissions@csspub.com or to Permissions, CSS Publishing Company, Inc., 5450 N. Dixie Highway, Lima, Ohio 45807.
“The Gift of Grace” by Keith Wagner
“What If the Caller ID says G.O.D.?” by Keith Wagner
The Gift of Grace
by Keith Wagner
Psalm 103:1-8
One afternoon several years ago, Lin and I were sailing at Grand Lake St. Mary’s. It was very breezy and without warning the wind gusted and turned us completely around. The sails were set right. My hand was on the rudder. I was doing what I was supposed to do. But, the wind took us in a different direction. And that changed our plans for the rest of the day. We headed back in and to our dismay discovered that the motor malfunctioned. To make matters worse a storm appeared in the west. To avoid the storm we had to head back to the dock. We reached the dock just in time and quickly secured the boat. We jumped in our car and within minutes the storm hit.
There will in fact be times when the wind of God takes us in a direction we do not want to go. God’s grace is everywhere and here the psalmist is reminding us that God is “compassionate and gracious.”
Grace is all around us when we are willing to accept it. It can happen in a variety of ways. It might be some new person who appears in your life for the first time. It might be some resource that helps you through a time of struggle. Or perhaps it’s just some free time. Gifts of grace can lift our spirit and help us in times of need. I believe, however, that we have a problem with grace just as we have a problem with gifts. Just as we don’t know how to receive a gift we have difficulty in receiving grace.
God’s gift of grace is freely given. Most folks believe that to receive God’s grace there is some pattern or set of rules you must follow for that to happen. Our work ethic has conditioned us to think that we can somehow earn God’s grace. But, there is nothing that we can do, no set of instructions, no step-by-step process, no certain words to say that will bring grace upon us. The grace of God is an absolute free gift. It is initiated by God, not us.
Bill Moyer’s documentary film on the hymn "Amazing Grace" includes a scene filmed in Wembley Stadium in London. Various musical groups, mostly rock bands, had gathered together in celebration of the changes in South Africa, and for some reason the promoters scheduled an opera singer, Jessye Norman, as the closing act. The film cut back and forth between scenes of the unruly crowd in the stadium and Jessye Norman being interviewed. For twelve hours groups like Guns and Roses blasted the crowd through banks of speakers with loud music. The crowd yelled for more curtain calls, and the rock groups obliged.
Meanwhile, Jessye Norman sat in her dressing room discussing "Amazing Grace" with Bill Moyers. Finally, the time came for her to sing. A single circle of light followed Norman, a majestic African-American woman, wearing a flowing African dashiki, as she strolled on stage. The crowd stirred and they were restless. Few knew who the opera singer was. A voice yelled for the rock bands to return and others chimed in. Alone and with no accompaniment, Jessye Norman began to sing, but very slowly.
A remarkable thing happened in Wembley Stadium that night. Seventy thousand rowdy fans fell silent to the song, "Amazing Grace." By the time Norman sang the second verse, she had the whole crowd in her hands. When she sang the third verse, the crowd sang along with her.
Jessye Norman later confessed she had no idea what power descended on Wembly Stadium that night. Apparently, they thirsted for grace and grace they received.
In the film, Good Will Hunting, Robin Williams, who plays Sean, is counseling a young man by the name of Will. He is filled with guilt, feeling responsible for his abuse. At one point in the session Sean says to Will, "It’s not your fault, it’s not your fault, it’s not your fault." For the first time in his life, Will is able to receive the gift of grace and is forgiven.
God is incredibly compassionate and generous. God forgives and sets us free so we can continue on without guilt and shame hanging over our heads. Grace abounds, it exceeds our expectations. Grace is a gift that God wants us to receive with gratitude and thanksgiving. Grace can surprise us and come in ways we do not understand. Grace can liberate us from guilt, shame and despair. Grace enables us to see our way more clearly. Most importantly, as we receive grace, God also wants us to be givers of grace.
* * *
What If the Caller ID says G.O.D.?
by Keith Wagner
Jeremiah 1:4-10
In this age of electronic devices there is one that has become very popular. It’s the “Caller ID.”
This device can give you the number and name of the person who is ringing your telephone. Before you answer you know if it’s a salesperson or your mother-in-law. It’s an extremely useful device if you don’t want to have a conversation with whoever is calling.
What if a call was coming in and on the display it said, “G.O.D.?” What if this mysterious caller is none other than the Almighty? Would you let the phone ring? Would you go find someone else to answer it? Or, would you willingly pick up the receiver and say hello?
About the time the caller id became popular in the l990’s, I received a phone call that I did not recognize. I answered and it was from a member of a church that was searching for a new minister. There was no pressure on me to make an immediate commitment, for both the caller and I knew this process would take some time. But, responding to “the call” meant that my life would change. It meant relocating to a new place, leaving friends, finding a new home, changing personal services such as doctors and school systems. The move would affect our entire family. Accepting that call meant I would be starting a new life in an unknown place. It meant making new friends. It would not be a simple transition. The only way to make it was in faith.
When we say “yes” to God, it means changes will occur. Perhaps not as dramatic as what happens to a minister and his family when they relocate, but some things will simply have to change. If, for example you are asked to serve in some volunteer position, you have to make adjustments to be effective.
It’s a real challenge in today’s society to find people who are willing to serve in voluntary ways. Many are willing to help, but only on a short-term basis. Few are willing to commit to any long-term program for fear of having to give up their freedom.
One time I had a conversation with the area director of the scouting program. He was seeking leadership to supervise youth. He said it is just about impossible to find folks who would make that kind of personal commitment. I understood his dilemma. I was aware how hard our church nominating committee had to search for new leadership.
I don’t believe that people today are any less caring than they were in Jeremiah’s day. People want to help others, but they lack confidence in themselves to try or they are afraid of changes that have to be made. If God calls the response is, “Yeah, sure…Why would God call me?” As you can see, Jeremiah did not understand why God was calling him. “I am only a youth”, he said. “I am not capable of being your speaker.”
Jeremiah did not have any confidence in himself as a messenger of God. He immediately discounted the fact that God was calling him. He wasn’t making an excuse. He just didn’t believe that he was the man for the job. He was called to change the future, to help God’s people return to God. His call would not be met without resistance, nor would it be a simple task.
I suppose that fear is what holds us back. Fear is what keeps us from answering the call. Fear is what prevents us from saying “yes” to God. Jeremiah was afraid. He was no different than us. God knows he is afraid and God gives Jeremiah the reassurance he needs to proceed as a messenger. “Be not afraid,” God said, “I am with you to deliver you.”
When I was contemplating a call to a new church I was apprehensive, like Jeremiah. The church calling me was in a small town. Most of my experiences had been in large metropolitan areas. I shared my plight with several of my colleagues. One of them, a former Association Minister, reassured me. He said it would be a good church for me and I had the talents needed to do ministry there. His input helped me make my decision to make the change. I trusted his judgment and accepted the call.
My call to that new opportunity totally changed my life. The church grew and many new things happened. We created a radio ministry which led to a weekly radio broadcast that lasted almost twenty years. We did many renovations to the church building, including a video screen in the sanctuary. Several years after living in that new community I became an adjunct professor at a local college. Since we lived close to a lake, my wife and I had the opportunity to purchase a small cabin, which has become one of our favorite places to stay now that we are retired. I made many new friends and my new connections enabled me to become a writer for CSS Publishing. I am grateful for saying “yes” to that call. Had I said, “no,” my life may be quite different.
When we overcome our fears amazing things can happen. When our confidence is restored there is no limit to what we can do. Our challenges, our messages, our creative abilities can reach beyond familiar turf. We can meet new friends at any age, giving us hope and purpose.
*****************************************
StoryShare, August 25, 2019 issue.
Copyright 2019 by CSS Publishing Company, Inc., Lima, Ohio.
All rights reserved. Subscribers to the StoryShare service may print and use this material as it was intended in sermons, in worship and classroom settings, in brief devotions, in radio spots, and as newsletter fillers. No additional permission is required from the publisher for such use by subscribers only. Inquiries should be addressed to permissions@csspub.com or to Permissions, CSS Publishing Company, Inc., 5450 N. Dixie Highway, Lima, Ohio 45807.
