SPECIAL PRAYER REQUEST AT THE END!
I apologize if it seems like I am “one-tracked minded” these days. As we get closer to Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Resurrection Sunday, I have sincerely tried to focus not only what Christ has done for me (tired of taking it for granted) and what it means in my work as a pastor. Combine that with our worship in our new addition on Resurrection Sunday (that day only until we finish it) and my concern I wrote about in yesterday’s devotion, and you will see why I am going back to the subject of “Who I am” these days.
In his book Pastoral Graces, retired pastor Lee Eclov writes:
Pastors, like all believers, are agents of grace. But we dispense the grace of Christ as no other believers do. We are shepherds….But when we are called, God gives us a miraculous instinct for the work. We commonly call it ‘a shepherd’s heart’… (p.12) Pastoral grace is a kind of superpower God gives us, and at first we don’t quite know what to do with it.” (p.13) {Note: I will say AMEN to that!}
It took me years to figure all this out. And I’m still learning. There are times I offer grace and do it very well. There are, sadly, times when I offer grace but do it grudgingly or at least with a bit of hesitancy. I am ashamed of that inability to just do it without judgment since I, myself, have been offered that more than I can count from God Himself. But I have learned this: the key is to never stop growing and never stop learning. I have this sneaking suspicion I will never truly arrive, never perfect it, and never “get it right” all the time.
One more thought from Pastor Lee’s book:
Proclaiming grace always starts with the good news of redemption and resurrection. But grace has so much more to tell the redeemed. Gracious words, not always spoken aloud, cancel debts and bandage hearts. Gracious words open cell doors and tell people their long dark wait has turned into the Lord’s New Year’s Day. (p.28)
With all of my heart I want to be an agent of grace. Nothing more. Nothing less. So I say to those who know me: “Please be patient with me. God isn’t finished with me yet.” That is not a cop out. That is said sincerely.
{Now for the prayer request: In 2016 I was hit by a car while riding my bike. Three months later I went over the handlebars and broke my collarbone, 3 ribs, and had road rash. All healed. But that summer I had surgery to remove a bone fragment sitting on a nerve. In 2022 I had back surgery to give my nerves room to move. All was fine until about 5-6 weeks ago when my lower back felt like someone punched me. After some wrangling, I had X-rays taken Monday and go to a neurosurgeon today to see what is up. Please pray for healing. If not, please pray for wisdom. I’ll keep you posted}.
Praying for you, Bill. Keep us posted!
Seems we both are looking back on the foundation of our faith–the basic truth of Grace, offered freely and generously!
Yes and what a foundation it is! Thanks for the prayers.
Praying for both healing and wisdom, Bill! And please do keep us up to date with all that is going on with you regarding your back pain. May you feel the grace of God surrounding you always!
Thanks for the prayers Martha. I will definitely keep you updated. I definitely need wisdom.
Praying for you you, Bill. Speaking from experience, I know the effects of bike crashes can linger. I thought I was okay after mine in 2009, but three days later I was in the emergency room, almost unable to breathe. Diagnosis: four broken ribs and a partially collapsed lung. A year later, I discovered the misery of ongoing back pain with a ruptured disc. To this day, my (healed) ribs predict weather changes.
WOW Glynn! I didn’t know about the accident and the ongoing pain. I healed ok from the accidents but the visit by “arthur” is a definite by-product. Fortunately at this stage i don’t have the weather forecast issues. 🙂 Thanks for praying.
Praying for healing and direction and wisdom on how to proceed.
Thanks Ryan. We need to do lunch or supper soon. Just not at Chili’s. 🙂
Praying for both healing and wisdom, Bill. I always go to Paul’s quote in Romans:6:1-2 “Should we continue in sin so that grace may multiply? Absolutely not!” We will never be perfect no matter how we try, but if we are baptized in Christ, we do need to walk with Christ faithfully. We need to submit to God’s will, not our old self, or our own will. The amount of effort that you apply will be evident in your life, and having the power from God, to not be ruled by a sinful life.
Thank you Gail. I’m praying for healing, for sure, but I also need to know how to navigate this if not. I agree on the submission.