God's Grace

Colossians 2:9-10 (MSG)

Everything of God gets expressed in him, so you can see and hear him clearly. You don’t need a telescope, a microscope, or a horoscope to realize the fullness of Christ, and the emptiness of the universe without him. When you come to him, that fullness comes together for you, too. His power extends over everything.

Imagine a world without God, how empty it would be. Chaos would become the norm, as right and wrong wouldn't matter any longer. "Me first" would reign in full vigor!

The prodigal son lived in such a world of indulgence. Taking his inheritance years before his dad even died, he opted for wild living, and no one could stop him.

At first he delighted in his endeavors, but soon his money ran out and life was no longer as expected. All his friends disappeared, never to be seen again. All those who hung around him for their own pleasure, also mysteriously vanished. He was left wanting with no one who cared. Welcome to planet earth!

He didn't even have enough food: "He was so hungry he would have eaten the corncobs in the pig slop, but no one would give him any." (Luke 15:16) Not only was his stomach empty, but his soul was as well. He had truly hit rock bottom!

Good news though: "That brought him to his senses." (Luke 15:17a)

To make a long story short, he decided: "I'm going back to my father. I'll say to him, Father, I've sinned against God, I've sinned before you, I don't deserve to be called your son . . ." (Luke 15:18)

Interestingly enough, his father was far more excited to see his son than to listen to his confession: "But the father wasn't listening. He was calling to the servants, 'Quick. Bring a clean set of clothes and dress him. Put the family ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.'" (Luke 15:22)

Do you find yourself completely dejected, hopeless and completely submerged in darkness, so much so that you can't even see the light any longer? Would you like to do something about it?

Get up and come to your Father in heaven and discover His abundant grace. He loves you far more than you love yourself! He will save you from your pit, dress you up and celebrate that you are allowing Him to give you a new opportunity, a life beyond imagination. There is hope after all!

After the battle of Gettysburg in 1863, it rained on the living and the dead. It's as if the skies were commiserating the fatal lot of most of these soldiers. The landscape was ravaged by cannon shells, wagon wheels and numerous footsteps from the soldiers who were no more. Many dead horses lay among the dead men. Cries of the wounded rose up amidst the stench of the dead. The locals' homes were also far from desirable. Either they had been burned down or had been partially destroyed, and blood was found where the wounded had lain.

Sadly, many soldiers ransacked Gettysburg, looking for food, clothing and spoils. Some locals tried to exploit the situation as well. They sold water, bread and anything possible, or charged wounded soldiers for a wagon ride to the hospital. This sure didn't help the civilians who were looking for their loved ones, dead or alive.

In such grim circumstances, the wounded soldiers had no chance for survival, unless they had money, that is! Despair must have rampaged, and prayers must have become even more abundant.

Then the unforeseeable happened. A real miracle! Local residents began to reach out to the wounded. Some cooked, as certainly these poor souls must have been hungry. Others provided transportation for free to the hospital or helped families finding their loved ones. Many nurses and doctors came to their rescue as well. The grimness was lifted, and hope became vibrant. Light started to shine and would continue to shine until everybody had been taken care of!

Your lot is not desperate. There is hope! Your circumstances may look grim, but then, God is way bigger than our circumstances. He can assure you that: "If God didn't hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn't gladly and freely do for us?" (Rom 8:32)

Isn't it time that we fully discover the grace He has reserved for us?

Dear Lord, thank You for the grace that You have for each on for us. Help us reach out and take advantage of what You have for each of us. In The Name of Jesus, Amen.