The above is a song by the famous band U2. It was first released on their 2000 Album, All That You Can't Leave Behind. And it's a powerful piece because of the message and for pointing to the grace we experience from Jesus Christ.Grace
GraceShe takes the blameShe covers the shameRemoves the stainIt could be her nameGraceIt’s a name for a girlIt’s also a thought thatChanged the worldAnd when she walks on the streetYou can hear the stringsGrace finds goodnessIn everythingGraceShe’s got the walkNot on a ramp or on chalkShe’s got the time to talkShe travels outsideOf karma, karmaShe travels outsideOf karmaWhen she goes to workYou can hear the stringsGrace finds beautyIn everythingGraceShe carries a world on her hipsNo champagne flute on her lipsNo twirls or skipsBetween her fingertipsShe carries a pearlIn perfect conditionWhat once was hurtWhat once was frictionWhat left a markNo longer stingsBecause grace makes beautyOut of ugly thingsGrace finds beautyIn everthingGrace finds goodnessIn everything
Looking at the lyrics, you can see a number of fantastic lines that should help us understand how grace works. I mean, obviously the first couple of lines go "grace, she takes the blame, ...covers the shame, ...removes the stain." WOW!
Grace "travels outside of karma." Karma is the Hindu doctrine of reciprocation. Basically it's the idea that "what goes around comes around" or receiving ones just desserts. If you live a bad life, bad things will happen to you. If you live a good life, good things will happen to you. But if grace travels outside of karma, that means it works independently of that system; so what we deserve as wicked people, we do not receive. Instead, we receive what Paul wrote in Romans 6:23, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (NIV) WOW! Is God really that awesome!
Grace through Jesus Christ really does make beauty out of ugly things.
I'm ugly. I'm a foolish person in my sinful nature. I have hurt people, accused people, abused people, cursed God. I deserve death because I'm a sinner.
Even in these current days I have shown that I, in my foolishness tend to burn bridges with people, young people. I have seen this start to happen even in my role as a youth worker. I do things too rashly. I do things without considering the affects or the feelings of others. For this I am truly sorry. I hope those who this applies to read this and accept my apologies in grace.
I am thankful for grace. As the song goes, it is a "thought that changed the world."
If there is one thing I would like to perfect before the Lord calls me home or returns is worship. I want to perfect worship in my life and grasp how wonderful, beautiful, compassionate and sweet is Christ's grace for me. He has already forgotten my sins from yesterday, even if I haven't completely let them go. He is good. He is my God. He is my LORD.
Thank you Jesus for Grace.
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