“All the natural movements of the soul are controlled by laws analogous to those of physical gravity. Grace is the only exception. Grace fills empty spaces, but it can only enter where there is a void to receive it, and it is grace itself that makes this void. The imagination is continually at work filling up all the fissures through which grace might pass.” ~ Simone Weil
Have you ever heard the term “the grace and space?” The phrase means that people experience the space and grace to be who they are, not who we think they should be. Many churches, communities, clubs, organizations, etc., claim to have a “come as you are” policy, but all too often, we discover that’s not the case when we visit some of these places. Just because you hang a sign that says “everyone is welcome” or wear a t-shirt that says you are “for this or for that” doesn’t always equate to what you are marketing to the world.
God’s Kingdom is to be a grace space, where the lost from all walks of life find refuge in God, despite their hurts, habits, and hang-ups. Unfortunately, the “us vs. them” mentality embedded in our culture finds its way into our sacred spaces. The recovery community is the best representation of the Kingdom of God in existence. People come as they are in hopes of discovering a solution for their hurts, habits, or hang-ups. These recovery communities don’t care what the newcomer’s history is or their plans for tomorrow, only that they desire to change today. They truly create a space of grace where the lost come as they are and can experience the healing power and grace of God.
God of space and grace, thank You for creating a grace space where people like me can discover a relationship with You and experience your amazing grace. Please remove any residue of the “us vs. them” mentality that may be clinging to my character. Please help me always create a space of grace for the lost and suffering, despite their particular hurt, habit, or hang-up. In Your Spirit and Name, I pray these things. May Your will not mine always materialize, now and forever. Amen.
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