Rev. Richard Smith
February 5, 2024
| Ephesians 3:20 Words of Paul Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. |
Each of you, I’m sure, is aware of the name Eugene Peterson. While he wrote many spiritual treatises, his most notable offering was the translation of the Bible called The Message. It’s an exceptional scripture translation with emphasis on more contemporary language. Peterson died in 2018, but his spiritual writings will touch lives for a long time to come.
In one of his writings, Peterson offers an inviting perspective on the life of faith. He says, The life of faith is a daily exploration of the constant and countless ways in which God’s grace and love are experienced. I love this statement…”the constant and countless ways in which God’s grace and love are experienced”.
Yes, bad things happen and often to good people, but in the midst of it all God brings us, as we are willing to receive it, resilience and strength.
Yes, we face challenging decisions in life, which sometimes push us toward real anxiety, but God makes available wisdom and insight, as we see it, which can guide us toward the best options and choices.
Yes, we human beings can find ourselves blown here and there by the winds of culture, but God’s Spirit remains steadfast with us to keep us from being swept away from secure spiritual and emotional moorings.
Yes, we are called upon to remain people of faith when dark clouds gather and uncertainty seems a natural response, but God is always at work helping us keep on keeping on; to keep on believing and serving.
Yes, we can live in ways which disappoint God, but He is, without question, one who regularly offers us grace and love.
Now, as I’ve stated more than once, knowing the “constant and countless ways” God is moving and working and helping and empowering and guiding and sustaining requires the spiritual discipline of paying attention. In the ebb and flow of life’s good and not so good moments, we can miss the signals that our God is truly and clearly at work. So, pay attention.
Pay attention to the moments of resilience. Pay attention to the insights which come. Pay attention to steadfast feelings. Pay attention to hints of grace and forgiveness. Pay attention to those feelings and emotions which reflect the truth that we’re never alone, we’re never without divine aid. Pay attention to the constant and countless loving gestures of our God; day in and day out. Daily explore God’s good work and you will be blessed!!
