5 Oct, 2010
Forfeiting Grace
This summer my son played his first soccer tournament. His little team of first graders went in with high hopes: win this tournament and they could go to Disneyworld! Truth is, they'd have to win the next tournament and five more before they'd be on a plane to Florida, but no matter. They were so excited about the word "Disneyworld" that they couldn't hear the rest of the information.
After squeaking out a win and then getting pummelled by a team much bigger, faster, and more skillful than them, the boys saw the reality of the situation. They stopped talking Disney and started talking pizza after the tournament, with hopes for a win in their last game.
When the last game was scheduled to begin, the boys jogged out to the field. They looked around: no opposing team. Their faces went from shock to surprise as they began to whoop it up. If the other team didn't show up, they would forfeit. The opponent's forfeit would count as a win!
The team did end up showing up just in time, and the battle for fifth place was dramatic. But that story sticks in my mind as I consider the idea of "forfeiting" grace.
Jonah 2:6-9 (NIV)
But you brought my life up from the pit, O LORD my God. 7 When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, LORD, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple. 8 Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs. 9 But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. Salvation comes from the LORD."
What does God's Story Scripture teach us about grace?
The story of Jonah is an amazing picture of God's grace. In the story, God calls Jonah to do something that he really doesn't want to do--go to a new place, to people he doesn't like, to preach about God's mercy and love. Jonah tries to escape the situation by running from God but gets a wake-up call: God is always present and active in our lives.
When God uses a huge storm and a great fish to "catch" Jonah, we get a front-row seat to Jonah's response. Jonah says "those that cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs." Even though Jonah followed God, there were things he would cling to that kept him from following God's commands. Time alone in the belly of that fish reminded Jonah of just what he "forfeited" by running after other things.
How can we connect today's God Story Scripture to our lives?
If you've ever felt like following God was about following rules, think again. In Jonah 2:8, we get a picture of grace standing arms open, ready to engage in a relationship. It's "those that cling to worthless idols" that forfeit the chance for that relationship. When we "cling" to other things, we just don't show up for God. We don't feel his love, peace and grace because we forfeit it. We don't show up.
What are some "worthless idols" in your life? Is it searching for significance in grades, sports, friendships? Is it a boy/girlfriend? Is it constantly craving attention? Consider this idea: when you cling to those things, you "don't show up" for God's grace.
If you have worthless idols in your life vying for your attention, ask God to help you stop clinging to them. Let go of those things and let yourself experience God's grace to the full.
How can we connect today's story, God's Story Scripture, and our story to others?
Understanding grace is a tough thing. We are so used to life being about performance and "measuring up." Making grace tangible in your own life is important if you are to share it with your friends. When you realize that God just wants us to "show up" for grace, it's easier to understand the relationship he offers us and our friends. If you've ever talked to a friend who doesn't want to come to church or begin a relationship with God because they aren't "good" enough, share with them the story of Jonah!
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