Grace is…
by Dr. Charles Killian, Asbury Theological Seminary, EXL Faculty, and class of 1963, BD
The sermon this morning was about ‘grace’—amusing, amazing grace! It is the sort of thing that is better illustrated than defined.
Several years ago, I wanted to make our wedding anniversary a big deal—wanted to do something extra, extravagant and yes, expensive. I planned a trip to Switzerland. We had talked about doing something nice but other things seemed to crowd out anything lavish. But, if we waited until we had the money, Jane and I would have been left several thousand miles west of the Swiss Alps.
So I plotted and planned the event. I knew it was going to be ‘cardiac stuff’ for Jane, who rarely spent a cent on herself, always doing the best for others and sacrificing for her family. It was going to be like throwing an alabaster box at the feet of my lover. I felt it was time to say something in addition to all the other things said over the years.
Grace is a little like that. Receiving grace when we deserved it or when it was the right time to get it, would betray the very nature of grace. Grace is laughing in travail. Grace is running the race with crutches in hand. Grace is asking me to dream in a world that demands facts. Grace is spending $40 for a half-ounce of perfume, and if you ask, ‘Why did you spend that much?’ you have forgotten the reasons why you love each other in the first place. Grace is going to Switzerland and looking at the Alps and wondering why we have taken so long to get there.
Grace is leaving heaven and making a long trip to earth in search for treasures that get lost. Treasures, we are, all of us—whether we go to the Alps or not. We didn’t need a trip to prove that; we just needed the wild and crazy experience to remind us that at the center of sameness are boredom and death. That after these many years of being together, wonders still await! I think I’d much rather take a whiff of that than the foolhardiness that dreams about a dozen long-stemed roses that fade in a passing day.
Grace is not some commodity that God dispenses. Grace is always woven into the nature of the Giver or Grace. And sometimes it comes from the one you love the most.
Hello Chuck, been a long time…i was one of the lucky ones who got to hear you say, “I’ll cut you up and carve you like a hotel turkey.” I also remember the critique of my preaching that Duke could not see the forest for the trees…Well, I just thought about that the other day as i finally released yet again my tight grip on things after reading some Viktor Frankl. He made a comment to me that reminded me of those tough graces, that have brought me closer to God…where I can be completely wasted in his love…sounds like you are well…Duke
I can’t beileve I’ve been going for years without knowing that.
Thanks for the great reminder, Chuck. Sometimes we need the reminder that God loves us lavishly. Thanks!
Thank you so much Chuck. It I s good to see your writings, it is almost as good as hearing you preach again. I love you and Jane so much and would love to see you all again.
I guess you know Bob retired in June and boy was he ready. We were both looking forward to it.
You know we have 6 granddaughters and I enjoy my every moment with them. We met our newest in Sept. when we went to Stuttgart, Germany to spend 5 weeks with Hillary and family. Oh how I love playing with all my girls! It has been good talking with you. Please give my love to Jane and let her know that she will always be special in my heart.
Love to you both
The first man to ever hold me in his arms and whisper God’s grace over my soul. I love you, dad. You exemplify grace in all that you do. You are why I love Jesus like I do.
I love you,
Lanse
I just want to say, I pastored Green Chapel Wesleyan ‘Methodist’ Church 1963-73 and was your name often came up by Vance and Lou Fulk. Could you be that ‘single’ pastor sometime prior to the 1960’s?
What a wonderful blessing to pull this page up and find you there! I think of you often with great joy and appreciation. Would love to be able to visit with you.