Psalm 69:1–38 Exodus 1:6–22 1 Corinthians 12:12–26 Mark 8:27–9:1
There but by the grace of God go I. . . .
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound . . .
These are phrases I have heard my entire life, but understanding and feeling God’s grace is something that I have just truly begun to experience. What better time reflect on God’s grace than this Lenten season that culminates in God’s gift of eternal life?
The simple fact is that everything we are, all we have, and everything around us is a gift from God. And while we all have different gifts that may vary socially or economically, we are all units of God’s grace. As Paul reminds us, “What have you that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if it were not a gift?” Let us notice and appreciate these gifts every day and give thanks to God for them.
Let us also strive every day to use our gifts to make God’s love and grace visible to others. This may be something as obvious as stewardship or volunteer work, or it may be something as subtle as taking the time to listen or share a “Good morning” with a perfect stranger or even just a smile. As Peter wrote, “each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
And there are so many, many forms.
–Michelle Mangrum

Click for a video: Amazing Grace performed at St. John’s by the Choir of St. Martin in the Field’s London