Healing Balm Called Grace
Do you need healing balm? Lucky you, there’s plenty of it available. It’s called grace. It is meant for all people. And there are no other qualifications than sinfulness. Hence, I think, we all qualify. There’s no one without sin. Also none of us have a monopoly on grace. We are all just happy receivers and meant to pass it on with love. Because we all need it.
One of the reasons why I love Kurt Bubna‘s new book is that it talks authentically about really tough issues, like sexual abuse. We can’t be quiet when we know so many of us suffers silently. We can’t be quiet when we know about the amazing healing balm called grace. There’s nothing that wins grace, nothing. There’s nothing Jesus can’t heal, nothing.
Kurt writes in Epic Grace, Chronicles of a Recovering Idiot “Grace is epically scandalous. It chooses to let go of personal judgment, hatred, and bitterness. It chooses to love even the worst offense and the worst offender.”
It would be easier to hate sinners than extend grace. It would be easier to pretend hard things don’t happen than share the healing balm called grace. But that’s not how we are called to live. We are called to be courageous in Jesus’ name. We are called to live in grace and extend grace to others, no matter what.
Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day’s out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ’s law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived. (Gal. 6:1-3, MSG)
What can we then do for the broken people around us? How could we live out epic grace in our lives? Kurt Bubna answers this way: “Love them. Affirm and accept them. Let them see in our eyes the untamed and epic grace of Jesus. And then show them as often as we can the grace of God through simple acts of love and goodness. Grace is better seen than heard.”
Grace is indeed better seen than heard. Sure, it’s not always easy. Sure, it’s not what we’d prefer to do. Sure, it’s not in our comfort zone. But that’s what Jesus would do. That’s what we are called to do. How can we do that? Only by God’s grace. But God’s grace is stronger than anything in this world. By this amazing grace we can be empowered to become agents of grace.
Because Jesus meant what he said. Grace is not too good to be true. When we repent our sins, we are forgiven. The blood of Jesus washes us squeaky clean and we are free to live scot-free. That’s scandalous grace for you.
Even that is not all. Healing balm called grace works. Grace heals us, restores us, and renews us. Even leads us into everlasting life. That’s epic grace for you.
Gracious God,
Forgive us for trying to monopolize your grace.
Forgive us for not believing in the power of your grace.
Cleanse us! Heal us! Restore us! Renew us!
Pour our grace upon grace!
Show us what it means to truly live in your grace!
Thank you for your scandalous grace!
Thank you that grace is stronger than anything in this world.
Let the power of grace change what needs to be changed.
May your spirit guide us to extend grace to everyone we meet.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Q4U: Are you a friend of God’s healing balm called grace? How do you extend it to others?
Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you live and love in grace!
Image courtesy of Aaron Wilson, design Mari-Anna Stålnacke. Linking up today with Wisdom Wednesday, Unite the Bloggersphere and #tellhisstory.
This post is part of #EpicGraceWednesdays. I am blogging through Kurt Bubna’s Epic Grace. Join me every Wednesday!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review (or any review for that matter). The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
8 thoughts on “Healing Balm Called Grace”
As I read your post I kept thinking of the words of the beautiful hymn “Amazing Grace”. It truly is a sweet sound but it needs to be seen and not just heard. Actions really do speak louder than words.
Oh, yes! That song does say it so well. Thanks for reminding me of that, TC. And may God enable us to share his grace by doing …not just by words. Thanks, TC, for being such a good fellow pilgrim along the way. God bless you!
Thank you for your wonderful posts. God bless and have a wonderful weekend. 1 John 4:7-8
Thank you. Agape-filled Blessings!
“Epic grace”! Love it! My son used to say everything was “epic”….what a great description! Thanks for sharing!
Ann @ Christ in the Clouds
Yes, I thought so too. The name of the book is right on target. Thanks, Ann, for stopping by and commenting. God bless you!
“Grace is better seen than heard”. So good. So true!
Yes! May God enable all of us to show grace in meaningful ways! Thanks, Jen, for chiming in. God bless you!