For there is no distinction, since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Romans 3:23-24
Ours is a community established in weakness. When we identify ourselves with the Christian Church, we self-consciously admit that we are sinners in need of a Savior. The only qualification for becoming disciples of Jesus is that we acknowledge our short comings and look to God for undeserved love, which we call grace.
Not long ago I was reminded of an AA definition of humility: knowing who we are and who we aren't (who God is). The remarkable thing about this definition is that it redefines humility into a position of strength. We have all known people who pretended to be what they weren't. At times such pretense is laughable, at others it is tragic. When we live out of who we truly are, we can have confidence because we don't have to be everything or do everything for everyone. That means that we are open to celebrating the gifts of others as well as receiving the care others offer. That which closes us off from others is what shuts us away from God: our insistence that we can be all that we - or anybody else - needs.
The Christian Church is designed from the truth of our limitations and short-comings so that we can grow confident in who we are and whose we are. It is counter intuitive, but this has led to the founding of one of the oldest of all communities. And it removes from us the claims of superiority of position or achievement that other communities and organizations thrive on. We kneel before the God who has done for us what we could never do for ourselves. We celebrate God's achievement in Christ and the Spirit's on-going achievement in and through us. Each of us, then, stands on a par with all others. Each of us is eternally valued by God.
What a joy this is! My imperfection is covered by God's perfect love for me. If there is one place where all people are welcomed, it is the Church. If there is one place where each of us can share in the works of love, it is the Church. If there is one place where my life can be touched by eternal significance, it is in the Christian Church. God has, for some remarkable reason, chosen to change the world in us and through us. God could have done it alone. But, instead, God has come in Christ, sent the Holy Spirit and made us the embodiment of God's active mission in our world. That means God thinks that you and I have unique and eternal contributions to make in the world.
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Lord Jesus, help me humbly live your grace in my uniqueness. Amen
