Grace

I've been reading some good books lately. Philip Yancey's Disappointment with God and bits and pieces from Brennan Mannings The Relentless Tenderness of Jesus. The two titles are quite different. But a lot of the same principles surface to life's tough questions. The main thing I've learned lately is all about grace. Grace for myself. Me giving grace to myself. Me opening up to receive grace from God and others. Oooo...that's hard too, but which is harder?
Check it out, one of the books talked about how we are a teacher, doctor, bookkeeper, firefighter, etc, but more importantly we are human. If we fail at the former because of the latter, then good. It is in those times when we are the weak humans and realize we are not all that, sooo cool and knowledgeable, and gifted beyond belief that we learn how to love others. If we didn't come to this lightbulb moment then pride and selfishness would most likely get in the way; it is in our failure that we learn how to have true grace for others. No judging b/c I surely have the plank in my own eye.
And so my perspective has changed. I no longer see me as here and him as there. My ministry as better than that. Oh no, his and mine are of the same vine. Mine is equal to the other, not better, just different. No one way works to reach all peoples. Paul knew this, he was conscious of it and adjusted his lifestyle when necessary. However, even Paul could not reach everyone. God used others, men and women in the church, on the road, in the marketplace. God uses male and female at the wheel, in Wal-mart, waiting in line at the restaurant, chilling out next to the pool (yes, God can use us anywhere).
I am human. I am saved by Jesus' grace. I am aware of my great need for that gift of grace. I am grateful for the opportunity to extent it to others.