“The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin…” — Exodus 34:6-7a
During the past year, I’ve come to know that Grace is a lot like an amazing pair of socks (from a company called Stance). If you have ever worn Stance socks, you know what I am talking about! Can I hear a resounding, “AMEN!”?
For years, I had heard about this particular brand of socks. A few people told me they were the most comfortable socks they had ever owned. Not only that, but they had all sorts of cool designs. I had seen them here and there and even checked out their website; I never bought a pair. Well, everything changed last year.
While at work one day, I realized that I had a big hole in one of my socks. I knew this was going to bother me the rest of the day and that I’d probably get a blister. I decided I would run to the outlet stores on my lunch break and actually buy a pair of Stance socks. I was finally going to see what the hype was all about! I bought a fun pair with great white sharks on them.
From the moment I put the socks on, my feet experienced the best hug of my entire life! For the first time, I experienced true socks. I suddenly realized that I had been searching for something I didn’t even know I was missing. I had been trying to fill my life with socks that would never satisfy — socks that would quickly get holes and wear out, socks that would hurt my feet. Even if I could buy countless pairs of other socks, they couldn’t match up to this one pair of Stance socks.
On that day, my sock life was transformed. From then on, when I wore Stance socks, it changed how I felt simply walking around. There was a difference between the days I was in Stance and the days I was not. Because I’d experienced what it could be like to be in Stance socks, I didn’t want to walk outside of Stance anymore.
It even changed what I desired. My wife asked what I wanted for Christmas and my birthday. I basically said, “From now on, I will always be satisfied with a pair of Stance socks.” I would forfeit receiving other gifts if it meant I could have Stance socks. I would save up to get the treasure that is Stance socks. I now have enough pairs of socks to wear a different one each day of the week! The more I experience it the more I desire it. I wake up looking forward to putting on those socks.
I want to tell anyone I can about Stance socks and how they have impacted my life; my life has been transformed. Because they have made such a difference in my life, I want to tell everyone the good news about them.
Okay, I know that all sounded a little bit ridiculous because they’re only socks (and I’m only slightly kidding). But, what I’m trying to explain, is what we experience when we walk in Grace. When we encounter the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God, our life is changed by it. When we see it and receive it, we come to fully know our desperate dependence on it. We want more of it and we don’t want to step outside of it. The best part is, that unlike socks, we don’t have to buy grace — it is a free gift! (Ephesians 2:8-9).
“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.” — 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
That’s the best stance we could ask for! We will have days when we fail and we may try walking outside of Grace. But, through His Grace, the Lord again gives us that amazing hug and brings us back to what is best for us.
Walking in Grace,
Posted in A Word from the Pastor