Vowing Into Grace
Two weeks ago, I wrote about Ed Gungor’s book, The Vow. If you haven’t read that post, I encourage you to and then come back here. Today I will continue to share about vowing into grace and to do that I need to talk about the human condition called sin.
We’re all afflicted with it. Everyone is susceptible to this disease and Jesus is the only cure. Then why do we continue to sin on a daily basis? Gungor explains “There is a way for you to live free from the tyranny of sin-God has a special 911 escape plan for you…you don’t have to live under controlled destructive behavior.” He suggests finding a discipline or connection to God that works for you. Some connect via worship, or scripture meditation. Others through prayer and corporate fellowship. He also suggests Bible studies, silence, scripture memorization, journaling, confession, etc. I know what you’re thinking. Shouldn’t a growing Christian be doing ALL of these things.
Well, I’m not convinced we should. Before college I had an intimate and growing relationship with Jesus. I talked to him daily, read my Bible right before bed, listened to praise music and attended youth group. Jesus was an ever presence. Then I went to a Christian college!
I was told to be a good Christian I had to wake up before he sun and spend time in prayer and Bible study. To be a good Christian I should be fluent in the language of “Christianese” and flow in the spirit. I should act and talk a certain way. While trying all of these things, I began to drift further from Jesus. Condemnation and rules replaced my walking, talking growing relationship with the Lord. I don’t think I’ve ever gotten it back to the extent I had it before I attended college. I’m not saying I didn’t grow and learn at this school, but I lost what worked for me. What drew me closer to the Lord.
That’s why I understand what Ed Gungor is trying to say. Find what works for you. What draws you closer to the Lord and ushers in the Holy Spirit and do it. Don’t feel condemned if intense meditation is not for you. Gungor shares how he loves to meditate on the Word of God, while his wife dances around the house in worship. Whatever discipline works, keep doing it and don’t be afraid to try new things. But don’t feel condemned is something is not your thing!
According to Gungor, “Holiness, it turns out, is not the work of God or humans alone; it is the result of coworking between the divine and the human. It takes lots of time, effort, patience, and persistence to learn how that works…”
Gungor goes on to explain how often we try to do things through our own human effort in obtaining this holiness. That was probably my problem in school. I was listening to others and trying too hard on my own strength. I failed every time. Gungor says, “Though it is not bad to try hard, we must recognize human effort is not a cure-all. We must discover limits, use what we can from it, but then push past into the grace of God. You need to discover and practice the right blend of work and grace. And you need to be content with experiencing failure in the process.”
There is so many great nuggets in The Vow, it’s impossible for me to even do it justice. You can get your own copy and read it for yourself here! I’d love for you to come back next week and share your thoughts!
