Optimistic Grace
I read in the news this morning that a Clemson University professor believes every Republican is racist. A former president once said, “When you see all that rhetorical smoke billowing up from the Democrats…don’t inhale.” From political fighting to the threat of war, it is enough to make me want to build a bunker and shut the door. However, I think there is something better I can do with my time.
We all know that the news can be pretty discouraging, divisive and downright mean. We could live life from a position of fear, anxiety and inner turmoil. However, I think there is a better way.
Looking at the life of Jesus requires a look around at the political realities of his time. Rome was in control of the Holy Land. Jerusalem was in political chaos as Herod, the designated Roman leader of Jerusalem, lived in constant paranoia of losing his job and in endless tension with the Jewish spiritual leaders of the day. Life at that time and place was no less contentious than it is today. Into that world The Word entered and not only spoke a word but gave us an example of how to live in these tumultuous times.
Jesus decided that he would love several women that no one wanted anything else to do with and that love transformed their lives. Jesus decided to love and invest in a dozen men, three in particular, and that investment transformed their lives. Jesus spoke peace and forgiveness into the hearts and minds of those who had been held captive for far too long, setting them free to know life and live it to its fullness. Jesus believed in humanity so much that he thought becoming a human was a good idea. He entered the chaos and lived with an optimistic grace, extending that grace to all who would receive it.
We get to choose how we will live and think today. We can choose to believe that the world is on the fast track to hell and live with a pessimistic view that makes us want to hole up in our homes. However, we could choose to look out the window and believe that Jesus still wants to love people that no one wants anything to do with. We could choose to believe that Jesus still wants to disciple men and women. We could choose to believe that Jesus still wants to speak peace and forgiveness into the hearts and minds of people that have been held captive for far too long. You see, Jesus wants us to help him with that work. Jesus wants us to believe in the power of His grace to change lives and then to live from that place of belief. This is a beautiful invitation to life.
Enter the spaces entrusted to you with the optimistic grace of Jesus. Don’t fall victim to the pessimism of our planet. Enter the spaces with optimistic grace because Jesus is already in those spaces and He is calling out for his followers to join Him in those spaces. You have already been sent. You only have to live out the grace you have received. Live today in the optimistic grace you have received from Jesus and then share it with someone near you. Jesus is already present to join you there.