God is a God of grace. No way around it... and aren't you glad? Tony Campolo relates a story about himself. Once he asked a class of students "What do you reckon Jesus would have said to a prostitute?" Campolo was apparently preparing himself to be able to speak about Jesus' compassion and understanding.
At one particular point in the discussion a Jewish student responded: "Jesus never saw a prostitute." Campolo began to sensitively suggest that Jesus in fact related to a number of prostitutes. The Jewish man interrupted him and said: "Dr. Campolo you didn't hear me ... Jesus never saw a prostitute." Campolo responded again with a situation from the Gospels. Again the man said: "You're not listening to me ... Jesus never saw a prostitute." Suddenly, Campolo understood. When Jesus looked at someone he looked beyond their situation and he looked beyond their own perceptions and societies' configuration of them. He always saw the whole person. He saw who the person was created to be... and what they could become.
He is an amazing God of grace. Neele Walsh is quoted as saying, "I need now to say that I am deeply embarrassed by my life; which has been marked by continued mistakes and misdeeds, some very shameful behavior, and some choices and decisions that I am sure other people consider hurtful; even unforgivable. Though I have profound remorse that it was through others pain, I am unspeakably grateful for all that I have learned, and found that I still have yet to learn, because of the people in my life. I apologize to everyone for the slowness of that learning, but I am encouraged by God to grant myself forgiveness for my failings, not to live in fear and guilt, but to always keep trying... simply keep on trying, to live a grander vision. I know that's what God wants for all of us".
God does indeed have a grander vision for us than we could ever imagine...but the one thing I know about God... He doesn't dangle carrots over our heads. If there is a vision of what we can become... it is only there because God is saying that it could come to pass, if we would work with Him towards that possibility.
Dare to live large. Dare to go for the dream. Consider the wonder in living fully the life God has intended for you. Only a few will dare to trust God in such a way. Will you be one of the few?
Go for it!
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