Liquid Grace
John Wright
This time of year can be so crazy. On one hand it is such a great time of giving and servanthood, yet on the other it can be so stressful and frustrating.
I see the children putting boxes together for kids in need, high schoolers helping Habitat for Humanity, and yet many people, including myself, think less and less of others as we get closer to the Holidays. This weekend as we drove out of town, sitting in stop and go traffic, Stacy and I turned on the traffic report to see if there were any problems. We found out one reason for the slow traffic was because that a father and son were arguing in the car. Once the car slowed down enough the son got out of the car and started walking on the shoulder. So the dad got out of the car and they continued the discussion as they walked down the freeway, dad trying to get son back in the car, as they yelled at each other. We hear of people fighting over some sale item or a toy their child needs to have; the same items that will be available the day after Christmas at a better price and with no problems. How about the person who sells that hot toy on ebay for six times what it is worth? Just great heart warming stories. What an amazing time of year.
I remember how John reminds us that if we say we love our God but do not have love for our brothers then we are nothing less than liars. Jesus does not call on us to love God with all of our hearts and tolerate our neighbor. So many times we think that the miracle is to love God. But isn’t that the most intelligent thing we can do? I mean God is breathtaking and awesome in His entire splendor. He is absolutely lovely. When we don’t love God, something is wrong with our Hearts. Loving people is the real miracle.
Have you been outside lately? People are incredibly selfish. At the core we are self-centered, self-focused, and self-indulgent. We can be irritable, short-tempered, or easily offended and embittered, and I have yet to describe people who are NOT Christians. Loving one another is the real miracle. When you come to God you learn that He is perfect. When you come to church you discover that His people are not.
The church is never going to be a place without interpersonal crisis or challenges. Every last one of us is working it out; sometimes fighting with God, sometimes working with Him. That is why this place we call Clayton Community Church is such a gift, it is not about being perfect or loving people who are really easy to love; it is all about loving people through the love of God. It’s about being loved when you blow it, being loved when you do not deserve it, being loved by others – even when you find it difficult to love yourself.
When we begin to love people through their imperfections, through the disappointments, you begin to know that it is more than infatuation. Those who are searching for God’s love find it through the love of God’s people. Remember we want to be known as an oasis of liquid grace where forgiveness flows freely.
I pray that we can spend not only this season but also every day loving people through the love of God. That we are over flowing with liquid grace. Have a great week. My love to all of you and your families.
All for Him,
John
Children’s Ministry Happenings
Sunday Dec. 4th
Both Gatherings
Preschool-5th Graders Sing in Big Church
Rush Hour's New Time
6:30-8:00 at Mt. Diablo Elementary Multi Use Room
Wednesdays
Please Mark your calanders
No Rush Hour:
Wednesday 11-23, 12-21, and 12-28 due to the holidays.
Call Lois Wullenweber 673-2100 if you have any questions
KidZone
Sunday, January 29th
9:00 and 10:45 in the multipurpose room at DVMS
Where kids bring their parents into their world for a shared family experience
Questions? Call John Wright at 673-2101