“God is Great, God is good”
A familiar epithet repeated countless times since I can remember. Many of us will follow that up with “Let us thank Him for this food.” — It’s me. I am many of us. — However, I always say God is Grace, God is Good because people say “say your grace.”
But aside from pre-meal prayers I really never stopped to actually hear and understand what I was saying.
“God is grace…”
I was asked to do this post by my cousin, she asked me several questions, but I chose to focus on the question regarding grace. So of course I started where I always start and that is the dictionary.
What IS Grace?
Grace is defined as, well a few things actually, but I will highlight what is important for us in the context of this post. Grace is the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings.
As Christians we are charged to love our neighbors as Christ loved us. We are given grace, mercy, and love daily and without fail and without asking. Ephesians 2:8 reminds us that it was grace that saved us and nothing else and we did nothing to deserve this. Key word: unmerited. As children of God and followers of Christ it is important that we give the same grace that we get (Colossians 3:13). This is ideal but let’s be real for a second.
I’m a Christian and I am Black.
This intersection of race and faith is paramount to my existence.
In the wake of the recent civil unrest, sparked by yet ANOTHER senseless murder of a black man, continued police brutality, and the wanton disregard for black life, I found it fitting that I re-examine grace. What it is and what it means to me.
How do I meet a racist with grace, love, and mercy? How do I look at my own skin-folk and realize they ain’t kinfolk and extend grace, love, and mercy? What about my acquaintances and coworkers who mean well but it just don’t sit well? What do I do? How do I do?
Meet People Where They Are
Along my journey of getting closer with God and truly understanding His love for me, the answer is clear. We should meet people where they are.
But Christ died for us while we were still sinners, and by this God showed how much he loves us.
Romans 5:8 ERV
Romans 5:8 shows us that God sent his son, Jesus, WHILE we were sinners for the sole purpose of dying for our sins.
The gravity of that in and of itself is so immense. When I started to fully understand this my whole perspective shifted. Now here is the catch…
After you meet them…you leave them.
Yes, leave them right where they are. That sentiment there is so freeing.
So the one who plants is not important, and the one who waters is not important. Only God is important, because he is the one who makes things grow.
1 Corinthians 3:7 ERV
I am reminded of 1 Corinthians 3:7 in that it is God who has the transformative power. Not me! Whether I be a planter or whether I am a waterer, whatever I am still nothing. I’ve never been so happy to be nothing.
Am I the only one that feels that burden lifted? Oh okay.
Don’t move them. You can’t change people. You can’t sway them. All you can do is meet them, love them, and leave them.
God has given us the key. He has given us the tools we need to move through life without belaboring us with the burden of changing, molding, and mending other people.
And for that among countless other reasons “…God is good.”
Wherever this finds you on your journey, whether it’s the seed or the water, I’d be remiss if I didn’t say — this is NOT a justification for silence.
Christians & Injustice
It goes without saying but I’m going to say it anyway. Does this mean as Christians we shouldn’t speak out against injustice? Should we remain silent when trouble arises? Uhhh..no. There are several instances in the Word where we are called to justice on behalf of the disenfranchised. I can keep going but in the essence of word limits I’ll stop here. As you ponder on this topic meditate on these scriptures and allow the Lord to speak to you.
Learn to do good.
Isaiah 1:17 NLT
Seek justice.
Help the oppressed.
Defend the cause of orphans.
Fight for the rights of widows.
So now, come back to your God.
Hosea 12:6 NLT
Act with love and justice,
and ALWAYS depend on him.
Instead, I want to see a mighty flood of justice,
Amos 5:24 & 27 NLT
an endless river of righteous living…says the Lord, whose name is the God of Heaven’s Armies.
He has told you, O man, what is good;
Micah 6:8 ESV
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?
We are called to do what is right. So this is not a statement to justify silence but a place of rest to be unburdened as we do the work the Lord has called us to do.
Camara
For more on Camara, follow her blog https://thereeducation.blog or catch her on IG @b.camara .