When Grace is Not Enough.

There seems to be a place in our hearts that long for relief. The rich are rich either because of inheritance, hard work or some season of fortune or tragedy that has entered their life. I look at the privileged in this world from a western perspective and think how so many are cursed with depression and dismay. Incredible though it seems, personal wealth is not always comforting.

I have not had what can be called "personal wealth". I have had times of poverty; times of plenty and some would say times of wonder (wonder how I’m a gonna pay my bills). I look at life as a whole one wonders how is it that the impoverished moan for relief and the wealthy seek fulfillment in the face of all we preach and teach.

I really don't know why I came to ponder these things. I supposed that in my life I have questioned where my share of the gold was. Gifting and talents do not always open the door to opportunity. In fact, the same often brings rise to jealousy and envy among peers. It is said that we make our own way. I'm not so sure. I have known many who had much to offer but no takers. And, I am confident that the wealthy of this world, at least those who do not know their fortune, do not understand the plight of the destitute.

It is no wonder Jesus reflects with dismay on the rich young ruler. So often we depend on our prosperity to hide us from the issues of life. I am also convinced that many of the ministries that pump the idea of “name it claim it” have missed the thoughts of the struggling. So often we hear the ministerial elite, those who through good fortune or eminent grace have risen to some place of notoriety, express in volumes of books and how to tapes, are the deriding of those who have not risen. And, even amongst them are the devious and the dishonest, who gain their wealth through deceit and trickery.

There is a place, I believe, when just plain old Grace, at least as it has been expressed by main stream ministries, is not enough. Now, I’m not about to cause a stir in the halls of Christendom. I'm simply saying that hope in hope and faith in faith is not the emissaries of results. One can be a sincere, hard working, God loving, devil hating Christian and still not have enough to enjoy basic life. Now, right here I feel a need to qualify my statement on Grace for those apologists who want to point me to a million scriptures that rebut my opinion. Well, I don't think I have articulated all that I have to say, so hang on there.

It is not, directly, the reciting of scriptures towards a goal that raises the hopes of the faithful. It is not the heart felt passion to “beat the devil running” that makes a believer reach for something better. I believe that this thing called Grace is more involved than we perceive. Ah, I think what I desire to communicate just came into being in my heart. While we speak of the Grace of God through Jesus Christ towards us in great appreciation, we neglect to understand the love expressed that brought it to bear. Simply put, "God Gave".

No one can deny that there are many who suffer, and of course there are many who would say, well the scripture sais "my people perish for a lack of knowledge"! No, knowledge may not be the missing element of the perishing, there is also the lack of Grace or love expressed. I can't tell you how many times I have wanted to know how to do a thing but could never find one who would share without a price. I can't tell you the disappointment I carried when those who I thought covered me snatch the covers off with the excuse of helping me. I can' tell you the poverty I endured because of the fear of reprisal and disapproval of others.

Some accused me in my own family of pride and lack of communication during hardship but it was them who pushed me into believing that I had no place to lay my head when faced with personal failure. It was not their expectation but their condemnation I came to reject. I chose not to expose myself to their chiding or personal contempt. I was the preacher boy. Surely, I could not have a problem. I could not be independent and depend on their assistance without a chorus of disapprovals. When Jesus helped so many, he was met on Golgotha with “he helped others, why can’t he help himself”. Those who counted, drove me to be independent of thier comfort. From them I felt no protection as family.

Many people who should have been more in life allowed others to press them into cookie cutter bits of themselves. Possibly, these attempt to live thier lives through others. Now, that is not to deny the principles part in his or her outcome. Many have been given a boat but no oars. It is important to press the gifted and not so gifted person to become what it is that God had destined without taxation. Where are the fathers and mothers and sisters and aunts and uncles and friends and relatives and cousins and the like who believe in individualism, community and family. What happened to "be all you can be"? Do they not think that the best for you is to free you to be the best you.

My family was the branch whose mom did not go to college and way was hard. Our fathers were not faithful to their children. Our substance was always meager and without quantity. And, though there are some who would say “now come on Leon, you’ all did not do that bad” what they fail to remember was "I lived it!" It was my experience. There is no need to point to starving children in Africa, by the way that’s a continent not a country, to diminish my experience. I would never diminish another’s experience because of some perceived grade of pain. Pain is Pain, so don't dismiss what I have felt or experienced. Rather see the diminishing return on the individual and use this thing called Grace to reach out and apply a balm or salve to the wound.

I'm yet without some of the necessities of life. Much of my issue is based on my choice of service, I'm a Pastor! Just recently I found myself bumming a ride to the post office because my vehicle was out of service. And, in this town you need two! I have learned a few things and find myself blessed by Gods Grace with favor. Favor will get you what a Dollar Bill Can’t! I am mindful and desirous to do something substantive for the personally challenged. Those who know there is better, but cannot perceive it due to circumstance.

Grace or the preaching of the concept is not enough. There must be a concerted effort by those of us who have come through the pain of poverty and rejection, scarred but not mortally wounded, to help lift those who don't even know that they are in need of. The wealthy too need a hand of love not tied to their bounty, but without price. I've seen good young men scarred by their parent’s hatred and disappointment. Believing that they have become men because of their sexual prose or the size of their rims, they have become no more than horny animals skilled in mating and bravado. They have no clue what it is to be nurturing and supportive, but are satiated with the paid approval of the mindless.

I've seen young girls, who at one time, would be chaste in their dress but now wear spandex and pajamas in public. Hungry for attention, they strut as a peacock ready for mating. They are not only naked on the outside but are stripped of their dignity. Blood restricting clothing are now a fashion, but they scream "SEE ME", "I DON'T HAVE MUCH TO OFFER SO TAKE FROM ME WHAT IS PRIVATE".

The Grace I'm talking about reaches out to the masses and yells "Cover what is private until the day your physical beauty is to be uncovered for the love of your life and display the dignity of your mind". The Grace I'm talking about says "I know you don't know how, LET ME SHOW YOU, NO COST OR PRICE". The Grace I refer to is the kind that Christ often expressed through personal action. He heals, he feeds, he mends he give direction then he preaches.

It's all summed up with these words in the 13th chapter of John and the 35th verse, "by this shall all men know that you are my disciples, that you have LOVE for one another". That love was reiterated, in kind, through 1 Corinthians 13. Grace is not simply a message from God to man, but an example that should be expressed from God through us. What young man can we keep from prison? What young girl can we push through college without pregnancy? What dreams can we help a mother achieve for her child? What dignities can we help a father give to his family?

No, hammering people with Grace nuggets is not enough. Teaching them to recite and remember scriptures, though important, must be expressed through example. Those of us who have must learn to give. Those of us, who know, must learn to share. I get more joy by watching positive growth by those I'm privileged to mentor. Many I have shown this Grace are doing well. Very little return to say thanks. Some left in a huff, but are the better for the relationship. It matters some that my efforts toward people goes without expressed appreciation, but the reward I seek comes from him who allowed similar Graces to come to me. It's without cost, it's without price.

The Grace message is powerful but the "Grace message applied", through you, is the hand of God to those who sought his hand but will eventually seek his face.

Respectfully submitted,  

                

Selah.