The church is supposed to be about unconditional love, but if I were to ask 10 people on the street what first comes to mind when they think of church, I’ll bet that’s not it. What’s going on here? The gospel is supposed to be good news. If what we’re calling good news is the last thing people want to hear, then it’s not good news. Well, some would say, it’s only good news to the predestined, or it’s only good news for those who believe correctly. It turns out if you’re on the other side of the tracks, its very bad news indeed. Hellfire and brimstone, in fact. Something doesn’t add up.
The whole concept of grace throws this on its head. God’s acceptance of us has nothing to do with us…it comes to us with no consideration of our merit. We cannot earn it or screw it up. If we could earn it or screw it up, it wouldn’t be grace. It certainly wouldn’t be good news. It cannot be something some people have and others don’t. Grace is unconditional…that means without condition. This is what sets Christianity apart from the rest…the idea that God is forever turned toward mankind, a lover who walked to the edge and beyond in pursuit of His sons and daughters.
The choice lies in whether we can bring ourselves to turn toward Him…to be seen as we are, laid bare, and embraced. Many deeply doubt their own worth, and cannot accept this kind of love. Many deeply doubt love itself, and are wary to open themselves to trust. I think God reserves His deepest compassion for these…those who don’t choose Him, who cannot choose Him. These, who are often ostracized, judged or argued with by defensive Christians, are the prodigal sons, for whom God would drop everything and run down the road to embrace, tears of joy streaming down his face. Perhaps there are some of these reading this now. Come home…His arms are raised, not in anger, but in compassion.
I am a mess. Yet, in my Father’s eyes, I am perfect and accepted completely. So, maybe I’m not a mess after all. I am willing to take the chance, and live from a place of freedom…from my own disappointment with myself, from the judgments of others, from being alone. Grace is an invitation to live in the moment, in the embrace of the present. It’s an invitation to enjoy the shared experience of reciprocal love we enter into when we lay back in the arms of God. God is a lover. Do not be afraid.
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Amen.
Beautiful – thank you so much for this! It’s an odd thing, but this is precisely what the churches across our area (the Isle of Purbeck, UK) are hearing from God. His love, his grace, his mercy, are so much greater than our brokenness. Coming home, indeed!
Wow… this is beautiful. Glad to find you people here.
Thank you, and Peace to you. Michael