Grace and Priorities

 

Yesterday I nearly did something for the first time — make a quilt in one day. But my new machine ran out of bobbin thread, and because it has updated technology, rewinding the bobbin required reading the manual, which is one of the most complex documents ever… so I made supper and watched a movie instead.

I’d slept in yesterday too, so had about one-hour less day than usual and then did it again this morning. Sometimes such things make me want a do-over. In golf, they call this a mulligan. The Spirit nudged me to read Callaway’s devotional, and it was about mulligans! He illustrated with a story I’d not heard before…

A man named John Newton was first mate on an English slave ship in a world of violence, rape, and oppression. He rejected God and mocked the faith of any believing crewman. At one point, his own wicked behavior landed him in chains, where he found himself at the mercy of the very slaves he was selling. They could have beaten him or cursed him. Instead, they took pity on him. Did this soften his heart?

Perhaps. While sailing back to England, a terrible storm took the life of one of the sailors, and the question began to haunt Newton: If you die tonight, where will you spend eternity? Remembering those slaves and the words “Christ died for sinners,” Newton fell to his knees and begged forgiveness.

He later wrote, “I see no reason why the Lord singled me out for mercy unless it was to show, by one astonishing instance, that with Him nothing is impossible.”

Today, this man’s hymns are sung around the world, and at the top of the hit list is his most famous: “Amazing Grace.”

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see…

His epitaph reads, “John Newton…once an infidel and libertine, a servant of slaves in Africa, was, by the rich mercy of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, preserved, pardoned, and appointed to preach the faith he had long labored to destroy.”

My desire for a do-over for a couple days that needed less sleep and more action is nothing compared to the mercy and grace of God who transforms the life of a sinner. Being forgiven is one thing; being given new life as well is incredible.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. (1 Peter 1:3)

PRAY: With that thought from You, Lord, I head into this day with a greater sense of purpose. Without You, what would I be doing? Loafing? Wasting time watching something senseless on TV? Who knows? But with You, I know what to do next, and after I worship in song and pray in faith, I know that You will lead me into whatever else You have in mind for my day. Thank You for amazing grace that enables me to make better decisions than the priorities I would pick for myself — and then wonder about my own sanity and judgment. Your choices are always wise and give me peace and a sense of purpose. Bless Your holy Name.