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Good morning, my reading friends! This morning, as I sit down to write, I hear the birds chirping outside in the darkness. I can't tell whether what I'm hearing is a cry of distress, as it's the same continuous chirping, or a celebration chirp. I choose to believe it's a victory celebration. Tomorrow, we remember the crucifixion of Jesus, but Sunday's a-comin'!
Sunday is victory day…the resurrection of Jesus! Praise God for his grace!
How do we prepare for such a celebration? I can only speak for myself, but I'll say that this day is sacred and has been heavy on my heart for weeks. It's a strange sort of anticipation…waiting for the celebration of a death. But we know this isn't death as we know it, rather, this death brings us life in abundance. This holy sacrifice, the surrendering freely of Himself for all of us is a mystery. Why? Why would Jesus do this? Ah, but the grace of God is lavish!
God gave me a vision a few years ago. This past week, of all weeks, His vision became a reality. His Place of Grace is being used, and my prayer is that it will always bring honor and glory to God. It dawned on me recently that, of course, this week would be the perfect timing to initiate this gift. This is His place and His idea…this place of grace.
Here on the mountain, we have a pavilion situated in the woods just above our home. There had been a room built above the pavilion several years ago, but had not been in use, only a storage place after moving off the farm. The Lord gave me a vision and was even particular about its name…Place of Grace. Since grace has always been my very favorite word jumping off the pages of my Bible, Place of Grace, it is! I envisioned this room, first of all, being a place for family and friends to gather. One room. A getaway from the stresses of life, even for a day. I'm happy to say that it was used this week already for a special gathering. I also envisioned this room being used as a reprieve for just an evening or an overnight for a mom just needing a break. A place to unwind, to have quiet, to read, pray, listen to uplifting music, to find God again in our broken world. A resting place. A place to find grace.
Grace, undeserved favor. God's grace…Jesus. His sacrificial death to atone for the sin of the world. Undeserved by man, yet He gave. Where would we be, but for the grace of God? My heart burns with passion for a lost world so in need of His saving grace, yet they don't even know. They cannot see.
As I've written in the past, I first struggled with the move away from the farm and to the mountain. There are times in our lives when we simply cannot see what God is up to, or why. Yet, at the time of this writing, I know His plan was good, and that I am only just beginning to see the gift that it is. Here on this mountain, where the birds are heard chirping their songs of new life, I see the Lord at work in my own heart, creating a victory song of deliverance from so many things that kept me distracted from Him while I lived on the farm. On this mountain, I'm free to hear the silence, if I choose. I'm free to hear the animated sounds of all the critters, if I choose. I'm free to unwind, let go, and dance as if nobody is watching. Ah, but God sees. He knows my heart. And He knew I needed a place of grace to renew my spirit. He knew I needed His PLACE OF GRACE. He knows you do, as well.
In the near future, I hope to offer His Place of Grace to you, reading friend. He has put it in my heart to offer this room to those who just need a rest from the daily grind of life. It is my prayer that those who come will leave forever changed by the impact that God wants to have on their heart here on His mountain. But until then, it is my prayer for each of you to know that no matter what your life may be even now, God's grace if enough. Keeping your heart and mind focused on the grace that He extends to you daily, will always be enough. You can do this life, no matter what your circumstances. He is always as close to you as the mention of His name. Sometimes, you just need to pull yourself away from the daily grind, just long enough to touch heaven once more. His place of grace will do that for you. However, that place of grace isn't truly a room, or a getaway, rather it is a conscience decision to simply recognize this grace. To see, to know, as Paul quoted to us in 2 Corinthians. chapter 12, that God's strength is made perfect in our weaknesses.
God had given Paul a "thorn in the flesh". We aren't absolutely sure what his thorn was, but many have surmised that it was a vision problem. Paul begged God three times to remove his thorn. God chose instead to let it remain. Why? So that you and I could see and know that, just as God was with Paul to strengthen him in his weaknesses, He is with us as well. Verse 8 and 9 says: Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times that it would leave me, but He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in (your) weakness." There it is, friend! The mystery of the gospel…God, in His infinite wisdom and love, extends grace to each of us to strengthen us in our weaknesses! The Christian life was never meant to be a showcase of our own strength or abilities, but only of HIS! All that we are not and can never be apart from Jesus, His grace covers! Our weaknesses in exchange for His strength.
I've been so blessed to have the privilege of writing here now for over ten years. As I am out and about, I've had so many wonderful comments concerning these writings. While I appreciate those, I know that I know that apart from God, there is nothing in me worth writing about. It has always been my goal to honor God and magnify Him by exposing my own weaknesses. No shame, only His gain. I share my deepest thoughts, my downfalls, my hurts, and His victories, but always with the goal of bringing glory to God through it all. This is my life. I am a sinner saved by the grace of God. I shudder to think where I might be aside from that grace.
Tomorrow, as we mourn, yet celebrate that dreaded Good Friday, I pray that each of us will set aside time to reflect on His grace. He wouldn't have had to give His one and only Son to die in our place. Yet, it was God's perfect plan of redemption for each of us. What love…what perfect, sacrificial love! I can't fathom…I cannot grasp it. Yet, I'm a recipient of His marvelous grace…His undeserved favor. Friend, you are, as well. I pray that this Sunday, your soul will be flooded with gratitude in your heart for Jesus, the Savior of the world. He came. He walked among us without sin. He died a sinner's death, the perfect, spotless Lamb of God. Willingly, He went to that cruel cross, so that you and I might live free of the penalties of death. I pray that God's lavish love for you will penetrate your heart and flood your soul, so that you, too, will be chirping and dancing for all the world to hear and see…Jesus saves, Jesus saves! Hallelujah! What a Savior! Place of Grace, have you found yours? I found mine, and I pray you will, as well. The Lord is risen…The Lord is Risen, indeed!
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Debby Renninger is a freelance writer and inspirational speaker. She is the leader of the women's ministry at Pine Glen Church of the Brethren and also leads a weekly Bible study, "Beauty for Ashes," in her home in McVeytown. Renninger may be reached at 250-7086.