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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Love and Grace (09/11/14)
As I sit here tapping away thinking of Love and Grace, my mind wonders back in time a hundred years. I think upon selfless outshowing of Love and Grace in the face of extreme danger. A hundred years ago, Europe was in the upheaval of ‘the war to end all wars’ (now called World War 1). In the forefront of all this death and destruction were a group of men who, over four years, lost 179 members, and were awarded 3 Victoria Cross medals. They did not carry guns, but Bibles. They were found not just at Army Headquarters, but in the trenches. They helped men know that, although it looked like Hell itself was breathing down their necks, God had not abandoned them.

The life of a British Army Chaplin was no walk in the park, not even for the sons of landed gentry, which many of them were. They loved people so much that they would be found ministering to men up to their knees in mud and filth. They helped the living to find peace and gave the dying dignity, all the while their positions were under perpetual threat of bombardment from shells. The saying ‘Grace under Fire’ could not be better exemplified than by the work of chaplains, no matter what country they were from. These men had such a faith in God that, for them, John 15:13 was their reality, their way of life and their reason for living: ‘Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.’ (KJV)

Now back to present day; with the sounds of a hundred years receding in my mind, I wonder, are we required to put our lives in the same mortal danger as they did? Thankfully, the answer is normally ‘NO’. However, we are called to willingly put to death our ungodly pursuits, which control our lives. So how can we lay down our lives for our friends?

I know I could give a few extra pounds in the collection box, but is that really demonstrating Love and Grace? So how can I tangibly expect to achieve this? I could volunteer to give out soup this Friday night, but the weather forecast says it’s going to rain. I know that the church youth is sleeping out in that creepy forest next week. They asked for extra help – but I can’t sleep without an orthopaedic mattress, so will have to give it a miss. Wait! I have got it! On Sunday, the visiting speaker talked about Prison Fellowship, that sounded kind of fun. I could help out with that! It sounded so rewarding. Now, where’s the phone number... O no! That number is a number my telephone provider charges a slight premium on, and on principle I refuse to pay. I am all about my principles, so will have to stick to them. So sorry, Prison Fellowship, can’t help.

I know I have taken a whimsical look at why we put off demonstrating Love and Grace, but it really is so, so very easy to find reasons to not do what we should.

Our generation has now got to a stage where we go out of our way to persuade the willing 10% to do 90% of the work. So how can we show Love and Grace? We may not be facing explosive shelling but do face spiritual attacks. We need God’s grace under fire. We must keep our faith in God to protect us for we can not do this alone.

You may ask, where are our modern day battlefields? There are five settings that must be fought. Each setting should be conquered before moving on to the next: 1/ best place is to start with yourself. 2/at home; show your family love and forgiveness. 3/ your church; if you can’t help and support people who should have your back, how will you work with others who primarily have their own agendas? 4/ your workplace; this can be one of the hardest places to show Love and Grace as they see you day in, day out. They have seen you at your worst as well as your best and, unfortunately, are not required to give you any leeway, like family or church would. This group has much to gain from you as it may be the only time it gets a positive Christian influence. 5/ go back to number 1, before you try the world.
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This article has been read 531 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
C D Swanson 
09/20/14
You've packed some powerful messages into this introspective and well written piece. Nicely done.

God bless~
Larry Whittington
09/21/14
Whether in England or the USA Christianity puts on a weak front against the enemy and sometimes the enemy is ourselves.

Good historical background. I forget that it was 100 years ago (and I have lived 76 of them.)

This should make each one of us look at our own life example. Are we giving ourselves?

Very good writing.
Verna Cole Mitchell 
09/21/14
This very well-written piece shows clearly the way to demonstrate love and grace--even out of our comfort zones!
I liked the irony in the paragraph about why we are unable to serve.
Bea Edwards 
09/21/14
I liked the history lesson linked to your call to demonstrate love and grace. Your comical excuses added flare to your piece because it caused me to look at some of my flimsy reasoning.
Judith Gayle Smith-Owens Vitouswykegardinerclark
09/21/14
You need no cement nor sand to cement your home in our hearts. This is a powerful piece and I love it . .. .
Gregory Kane
09/22/14
I enjoyed your narrative style, whether in recounting historical heroism or anticipating excuses for doing nothing. That said, I found the transition in your final paragraph to a bare bones list somewhat jarring. Might you have been able to express the same in narrative form that would have sat more easily with the rest of your article? Just a suggestion.
That said, well done. Keep writing. You're definitely getting there.
Sheldon Bass 
09/23/14
Thank you for these great reminders of how and where we need to be sharing the love and grace of our Lord with others. Hope to read more from you in the future.