“This world is no friend to grace.”
– First sentence in Eugene Peterson’s “A Long Obedience In The Same Direction” (1980, 2000 InterVarsity Press)
There are times that this world, in a word, sucks. This week has been one of those times.
In the last six days, a life long friend has passed, an 8-year-old daughter of a friend and co-worker entered the ICU and a 29-year-old friend and employee has received a difficult cancer diagnosis.
This world is absolutely no friend to grace.
In those times that the suckitude amps up, though, more than ever, we need to remember that it’s not about “this world.”
This is a way station. This is a portal. This is a temporary stop on some grander journey that we can’t begin to fathom.
Which is good. Because I don’t understand why good people die before a**holes, why kids get sick and really good people face really bad situations, when there are really bad people living on easy street.
But, Easy Street is not on maps that get us where we want to go.
Grace is a gift, and while at times, it is hard to accept, to understand or keep in context, it is ours to keep forever.
Difference makers find a way to stay focused on Grace, even in times when it appears that they’re all alone.
Danny says
Beautiful words Steve.
john says
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If my focus is on the entertainment world, or the business world, or financial world – then perhaps this world is no friend to grace. Oh… I would imagine that you might find a few examples of grace in those arenas too – if you look hard enough….. well, maybe not in the financial world. But I guess I try to build a world around me of those who I would like to emulate – those who exhibit humility and do have grace – my family, my friends from church. My 90 year old dad just recently passed away … a WWII vet, never talked about his experiences in the war – they were just too painful for him to allow them to surface again. When I asked, he simply would say ” I just did my job.” My mom told me about some of the things he lived through – my dad was FULL of grace. I remember being with him when he was dying – not very lucid – he said ” I think I’m dying”…. he would pause… and then say “well that’s OK.” If as we get old – our job is to age gracefully – then I have met the man I’ll strive to emulate in life AND death. I agree – grace in this world is hard to find sometimes – but sometimes it sticks its face right in front of you.