“If with Christ you
died to the elemental spirits of the universe, why do you live as if you still
belong to the world?” (Colossians 2: 20)
This is the big question isn’t it?
How often do I continue to cling to the false promises
and bankrupt powers of this world, instead of submitting to the life-giving,
renewing, and reconciling grace of Jesus?
As a pastor, I am not immune to this struggle. I simply signed up to proclaim in publicly,
and invite you to recognize it in your own life. Hopefully, I do this faithfully and creatively
in my ministry. Still, I know that I
won’t do it as well as I could or should or have or will. In these moments, I attempt to find solace in
knowing that any moments of grace that I somehow bestow on others is the work
of Jesus in both of our lives.
The reality for all of us is that we will continually
find ourselves living, not as redeemed believers, but as those who have
forgotten who and whose we truly are.
And when we do, we need each other to serve as reminders of who our
truest selves are and where truest allegiance belongs. And how gracious that God gives each of us
the ability to do exactly this.
I have often been ministered to by you. I have often been brought back to the faith
because of your faith. I have often been
encouraged to risk and exhibit courage because of the daring faith you have
shown. For this, I am grateful and
blessed.
My prayer is that you will come to see that your life,
despite its challenges and back-sliding moments, can, does, and will impact the
lives of others. This is the great
secret of God’s grace and power. He
changes hearts and lives in and through the very people who don’t believe they
can or will do so. Yet, it happens. All the time, in all the world. Grace happens.
Surprising God, use us as instruments of your grace,
love, and peace. Amen.
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