a touch of grace

I recently attended a wedding as a bridesmaid. The dress I made to wear to the wedding was part of the inspiration for this blog, but it was the wedding itself that ended up consuming my thoughts whilst writing it.  It was different to so many weddings I have attended before, but the blisters on my feet were kind of similar to before.  Even though I have been a bridesmaid several times, I keep forgetting that stilettos are not the shoe of choice for running around and organising last minute things. 

 

The wedding took place on a farm not far from a small South African town called Riebeeck Kasteel.  Some memories of the day were very significant.  When the girls were getting ready in the morning we asked the bride what the groom was doing, and she said that he and the groomsmen were having a prayer meeting to prepare for the day.   The pastor included Jesus in every aspect of the ceremony; it was breathtakingly beautiful to hear him describe the link between Jesus and love.  I was just praying that my mascara would not run from all the tears rolling down my face while the ceremony took place.  Later while the groom was removing the garter, the bride and groom giggled in turns.  It was so sweet to see such innocence still exists.  The 'normal' in today's society were totally contradicted. Today people test-drive partners like cars to see if they will be good enough before they make the decision to get married.  Who would include Jesus in their wedding in this century?  Really?

This message is not to condemn us who has failed somewhere during our lives, else we would all be condemned.  Nobody is perfect except Jesus Christ himself, and sometimes I wonder whether there is a day in my life that I did not do something wrong. We should not judge others whether good or bad, only God should be doing the judging. 

‘People judge others by their outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the person’s thoughts and intentions.’ 1 Sam 16v7

It is an inspiration to us to see that by the choices we make, we can change our stories.   In 1 Thessalonians 4v3 (NLT) we are told to be sexually pure, so that we can control our bodies and live in holiness and honour.   This sounds easy enough.  I am not sure about you but I am not made of stone.  We are also so easily influenced by the masses.  Television programmes, movies and even the adverts on television are focussed on sex and all the different variations of partners you can test drive.  When I listen carefully to the songs that I love, I hear the suggestion behind it, but I choose to ignore it and keep on dancing.   

Ephesians 2v4 (NLT) describes the grace of God so beautifully. (Read Ephesians 2 as a whole to get the context of this verse.)

“But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so very much, that even while we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead” 

We can live again, and we do not have to feel guilt and shame if we choose to believe in Jesus Christ.

“So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God.  There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it.” Heb 4v16 (NLT)

The grace of God is available to you wherever you are in the world.  It does not matter what you have done whether big or small.  If God can give me a second chance in life He can do it for you.  All you need to do is believe.  Then you can be part of God’s family.