October 20th, 2013 Commentary on Henri Nouwen's Daily Meditation

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Daily-Meditation--Superabundant-Grace.html?soid=1011221485028&aid=0rpY3d45U6o

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Sunday October 20, 2013 

Superabundant Grace

Over the centuries the Church has done enough to make any critical person want to leave it.  Its history of violent crusades, pogroms, power struggles, oppression, excommunications, executions, manipulation of people and ideas, and constantly recurring divisions is there for everyone to see and be appalled by.

Can we believe that this is the same Church that carries in its center the Word of God and the sacraments of God's healing love?  Can we trust that in the midst of all its human brokenness the Church presents the broken body of Christ to the world as food for eternal life?  Can we acknowledge that where sin is abundant grace is superabundant, and that where promises are broken over and again God's promise stands unshaken?   To believe is to answer yes to these questions.

My Commentary:

If the church were “perfect” or if we truly emulated Jesus… we wouldn’t recognize the world AT ALL!  Accountability is something we have lost in making all the functions of the body “work-together…”  Satan has found a great path for causing division in the church and these are idolatry of the self and its intellect, greed and indifference.  If we truly functioned to breathe in the Word of God and live up to God’s Gracious call to obedience and faith…  We would not be where we are these days in trying to “do” church. 

“It takes two to tango,” as the saying goes.  Cooperation and compassion build mighty teams for the Lord especially when they are CENTERED on Christ and NOT the self and the evil one’s worldly temptations!  The Glory of God’s raining/ reigning GRACE surrounds us abundantly but we can only see this through transformed hearts turned to the Lord and accountability—intentionally motivated to take up our crosses and follow Him.  So great a gift we were given…  Christ Jesus defeated sin, death and the devil upon the cross as well as the gift of faith.  Faith is the fruit of GRACE…  In light of the schisms and divisions in the church; has that mustard seed turned back into sub-atomic particles?!  There is so much potential there that we need to willingly tap into to “grow and go” together spreading the Good News!  Simply thinking deeply about Nouwen’s questions above as well as listening deeply to the Word of God, as seen through the eyes of a transformed heart will resurrect and transform the Body.  Resurrect and Transform the church to burgeon forth a brave New world reflecting God’s Will greatly, abundantly and with everlasting blessings!

God Bless Your Sundays!

Nicole Collins