Daily
I Timothy 2:1-8 (NIV)
1 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself as a ransom for all men – the testimony given in its proper time. 7 And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle – I am telling the truth, I am not lying – and a teacher of the true faith to the Gentiles. 8 I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.
Good morning!
In her novel, Saint Maybe, Author Anne Tyler tells a poignant story about a young man named Ian Bedloe, who struggles with feelings of guilt after the untimely death of his older brother. In Ian’s quest to find peace, he chooses to drop out of college to raise his brother’s three step-children, who were orphaned when their mother passed away shortly after his brother’s death. Ian discovers a renewed hope and sense of direction at a storefront church called the Church of the Second Chance. In 1998, a made-for-television movie captured the life of the Bedloe family in Saint Maybe. The movie is playing on the Hallmark® channel this month. If you can find it, I would encourage you to take a couple of hours to watch the movie. I believe the message will bless your heart.
As I watched the movie, I couldn’t help but reminisce over my own preconceived notions and failed attempts to love unconditionally. These were the things that eventually led me back to the foot of the cross, weighed down in guilt and shame. You may find this hard to believe, but many God-fearing, church-going families miss out on the deeper meaning of God’s love for the world. It is hard to entertain the notion that God might choose to extend His mercy to the ones who have caused you deep pain. It is only when we begin to see how much God has forgiven us that we can understand how His mercy and grace is available to every human heart. The question is, are we really willing to share His message with everyone? Are we willing to become the Church of the Second Chance?
In Paul’s letter to Timothy, he reiterates the amazing gift of grace extended through Christ. Paul’s heart was forever transformed the day Jesus appeared to him along the
Scripture teaches that Jesus Christ builds His church. I think we sometimes assume responsibility for the work that is not ours to do. Christ commands His followers to go and preach the Gospel to all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and to teach everything He has commanded. Jesus Christ is the Savior – we are His messengers. Through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, people are confronted and transformed by the Lord Himself. They are not forever changed by the words of the preacher, or the great Bible stories told in Sunday school. Their hearts are not converted by the praise songs sung during worship. We have no power to save the souls of others - only Jesus can do that. It really takes the pressure off, when we realize that it is Christ alone that does the saving. IF we are truly the Church of the Second Chance, will we open our hearts and hands to every person, trusting our Lord to do the transforming work that only He can do?
Like Ian Bedloe, our lives are forever changed when the Lord performs a holy transformation. He calls each of us at different times and places in our lives. None of us experience Jesus in exactly the same way, and we don’t have to! His transformation is a gift of grace. It is revealed through whose we are and by how we choose to respond to His call. There is no mistaking a transformed soul. When Ian felt the grace of God come upon him, he began to refocus his life’s direction, caring more for the needs of his brother’s children than he cared for his own personal career path. As we prepare to celebrate the birthday of our risen King, may we trust our God all the more, to do what He promises He will do. We can choose to care more about our neighbor than we care for our own personal gain. Will we care more for others than we do for ourselves? We can become the Church of the Second Chance right now. We are His message bearers. Let us introduce the world to the only One who can forever remove their guilt and shame, and give them a second chance at new life. We need to tell the story of God’s amazing grace.
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
Faith UMC -
Pray for: the body of Christ to become the Church of the Second Chance. All of us struggle with preconceived notions, prejudices, and pain. We bear our battle scars, from hurts caused by others. God offers grace and redeeming love to all, through His Son, Jesus Christ. He alone can transform hearts and forever change lives. This Advent let us become Christ’s message bearers, offering His love to the world.
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© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding
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