Today I had the privilege of talking to someone who has been in Alcoholics Anonymous (and been dry) for 30 years. As I asked him questions, it was clear he was at a cross roads and a new chapter of his life was imminent.
I talked about Jesus, shared part of my story and asked if he would be ok if I prayed for him. I was surprised at how enthusiastic he was. As I prayed, He was moved emotionally and it became clear that his journey has been long and difficult, yet God had brought him through.
It was such an honour to be able to share the Gospel with Him and also put a face to the God He had long known was ‘out there’ and knew had clearly protected him, yet was far, far closer than he knew.
He had sat though thousands of AA services and many Catholic Mass’s – but today was different. It seemed a lot of things were put into perspective as suddenly the reality of a Creator who cares individually, invaded his world.
Innocently coming to purchase a vehicle, he received something that would help him travel far, far further.
Amazingly, the conversation sparked his partner into life and she started sharing her spiritual journey, which was virtually the opposite. Coming from a conservative Southern American Preaching family, she had been jarred from her (self confessed) Pharisaical religious stance, now starting to piece together a genuine walk with the Saviour.
As a family we felt to invite them for lunch and were able to hear more and share further. I was able to share clearly the vital need of repentance, the difference between religious observance and true salvation and many other Biblical topics.
As we talked he was in awe, continually reflecting on how he had been surrounded by similar elements in AA. He repeatedly shared his new coined phrase: “wow, AA he been my spiritual kindergarten’, while clutching the new Bible I had given Him. Reading it seemed to be high on his priority list…
I reflected later on how many seeds God had planted in my own life in the most incredible and bizarre ways. Surrounded by evil (and my own determination to shut any notion of good or ‘god’ out of my life), He did more than ‘just’ love me from afar…
He orchestrated people, events, messages, free seminars and far, far more powerful things to slowly dismantle my pre-conceived notions of ‘god’. It is absolutely mind-blowing just how sneaky God was – He used my own pride, hunger for adrenaline, criminal activities, injuries, mishaps and much more to reach me.
He knew me before I knew myself. He knew just how to get my attention and reveal His truth – the Truth – in a way I could understand and handle it.
And just like this man today, I was unaware of how close, powerful or loving this God really was. Throughout even the darkest, hardest and lowest of my life, I was determined to survive and succeed.
But here God was, behold the scenes, weaving a massive ‘Tapestry of Grace’ in and round my life. I was but one tiny thread among millions, a tainted thread that had no idea I was part of something bigger, incapable of making good choices and totally ignorant of the Artist.
He is and He has been doing the same throughout history with all kinds of underserving (and evil) people. Most are ignorant of His existence, many are determined to push away any evidence they have seen, while even the few whose eyes have been opened not willing to do what He says…
But despite all that, when this canvas is viewed from a distance, when looking back through the eyes of His grace & understanding, it is stunning, meticulous and perfect!
On continual display are mountains, beaming with His incredibly powerful love, valleys drawing you in to the atmosphere of His individual care while the ‘plains’ provide the constant backdrop of His perfect standard. The closer you look, the more you see, the more wonder it produces.
May we be mesmerised by His wisdom and motivated to good works as we respond to His love.
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”
Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)
Lord, thankYou for Your love and grace.
ThankYou for protecting us even when we ran from You.
ThankYou for guiding us despite our determination to go our own way.
ThankYou for helping us while we boasted of our independence.
ThankYou for loving us amidst our determined hatred of You.
ThankYou for sending Your Son to the cross to pay our debt, as we racked it up further.
Help us to live for You in holiness, humility and service.