History is filled with stories of ordinary people, broken, living lives of pain or chaos; that, once at rock bottom, allow the cracks in their soul to let the light in. Saint Francis of Assisi spent most of his youth drinking and getting into trouble. William Booth, founder of The Salvation Army, was born into poverty. Booth's father died when Booth was 14, forcing him to find work to support his family. He found work as a pawnbroker's apprentice when he was invited to church. There, God inspired him to dedicate the rest of his life to service of God's children.
Then there is John Newton, who authored, one of the most well-known hymns, "Amazing Grace". While the hymn is loved and familiar, the inspiration for it came from ugliness and pain. Newton's spent his childhood years with his father on a merchant ship. His father retired, at which point Newton became a sailor in the Royal Navy. The situation was challenging to say the least. Eventually he was traded to be part of the Slave Trade business. On a trip home, his ship was in danger, and he called out to God. When they arrived safely, Newton knew it was God's work and committed his life to God on that day.
It would be great if the story ended there, right?
Unfortunately, life isn't Hollywood, and transformation doesn't happen overnight. Newton would continue to have ties to the slave trade until the last years of his life, when he became an Anglican priest and wrote hundreds of hymns, including the one we all know so well...Amazing Grace.
Dear one, we live in a broken world. There is pain and suffering. Heartache everywhere you turn. It just is not something that can be avoided. As someone who has worked with individuals of all ages and abilities, I firmly believe in the goodness of each human-being. That said, each of us has sinned...all of us have intentionally acted in a manner contrary to the known will of God.
What we often forget is that no matter how big, bad, awful, horrible, atrocious the "thing" we feel is, God already knows. God knows and loves you. Not in spite of what you have done, not apart from what you have done, not once you do enough good to cancel out the bad. He just loves you. Period.
And those awful sins? We live in a society that wants to convince you of your flaws. There is always some "thing" that needs to be fixed, as long as you pay a small price. The great news though, is that Jesus already died for them. We can see in Romans 5:8 that the price was already paid:
8 but God shows his love for us in that while
we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (ESV)
Furthermore, we are encouraged by our Heavenly Father to accept His Grace in our time of need:
16 Let us then with confidence draw near
to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and
find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 (ESV)
So dear one, never forget how deeply God loves you. His Grace is abundant and freely given to all of us. We needn't fear.
Will you join us in prayer?
Heavenly Father, we are so thankful for the limitless grace that you have covered us with. We thank you for the promise of love, acceptance, and an eternity with you, Lord, in the moments where we feel scared, alone, or not good enough to carry out Your plan for us, remind us that You have brought us this far, and will walk with us, hand in hand, on our journey through this world.
Amen
In Love, JSB
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.
That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.
T'was Grace that taught...
my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear...
the hour I first believed.
my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear...
the hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares...
we have already come.
T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far...
and Grace will lead us home.
we have already come.
T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far...
and Grace will lead us home.
The Lord has promised good to me...
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be...
as long as life endures.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be...
as long as life endures.
When we've been here ten thousand years...
bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise...
then when we've first begun.
bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise...
then when we've first begun.
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.
That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/jul/11/from-viagra-to-valium-the-drugs-that-were-discovered-by-accident
https://www.biography.com/people/st-francis-of-assisi-21152679
https://www.christianitytoday.com/history/people/activists/william-booth.html
https://www.christianitytoday.com/history/people/activists/william-booth.html
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