SEEING GRACE
The streets were filled with children running, mamas calling after them and noise of families living close together. High density living before it was a thing. People crammed together on one block, three vastly different cultures, three vastly different languages; all in Southern California.
My husband, young son and I would go to Minnie Street at least once a week to participate in a Bible study and to spend time with our new-found friends. Just off the mission field ourselves, we desired to use our Spanish and newly acquired cross cultural skills as best we could – at least we understood one of the cultures somewhat so we could fit in a smidge even with my husband’s blond hair.
The ministry on Minnie Street had been happening for a bit with a few gringo families living in and among Hispanics and Asian families. The evidence of grace we saw was beautiful. The potential for a clash of cultures was very real, but never materialized.
Children are children no matter the language. Young mothers seek one another out for support and love while husbands spent long hours eking out a living in a country not their own homeland. Life was tough, but the people were resourceful.
As we spent week after week there, engaging in life, we saw grace. Grace on fire. Grace in small moments, and in large. Grace which saved the foulest of sinners (myself, included), and grace which covered a multitude of sin. Grace filled the central meeting place – an apartment turned temporary church. Voices were lifted up in praise, song and worship. It was beautiful.
When Barbabas arrived in Antioch in Acts 11, he saw much of the same thing. A new church thriving – something about new life and young believers. It’s attractive and contagious, and Barnabas witnessed it. Antioch was the first place folks who followed Jesus were called Christians – little Christ’s.
The exuberance, passion and longing to fulfill God’s will and to testify to His grace to others was palpable. God was on the move and so were these new Christians. We are told Barnabas was able to encourage this new church of young believers and to remain true to the Lord.
How much do we need this same message today? A lot. Remaining true to its the Lord is vital. If one is a new Christ-follower, then crucial is the fellowship of other believers to learn, be discipled and begin to understand this new way of life.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
Yes, out with the old and in with the new. But the thing is – the old does not go without a fight. However, Jesus is Victor and as we march steadily on with Jesus putting one foot in front of the other, old habits melt away and new desires replace them. Desires to seek God and to know Him more. Desires to serve and love others. Desires to walk closely to God daily and to learn. Learn everything so as to please Him (Ephesians 5:10).
One Christmas at Minnie Street was memorable. Because of the many apartments and people, a crowd was a sure thing when anyone new showed up. Especially true when that one had gifts, guitars, and crazy ways of doing things. Between two multiple-storied buildings was a courtyard and it was here we would go during December and sing carols. We would sing with gusto and others would join in – the air was electrified with hope and grace. Opportunities to pray with struggling families, hurting individuals; to come alongside with tangible resources, and to encourage them with love and support.
Father God, Your grace is amazing. It is sufficient, enough and can move hearts and lives towards You. Thank You for displaying Your grace in me and in front of me. May I step out with grace and peace on my feet. May the grace and love I have know no bounds and may a boldness spur me out and into others lives. You, Jesus, are amazing. In the Name of Jesus. AMEN
Yes, grace was seen, much as it was in ancient Antioch. God is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:5), I’ve seen it with my own eyes. This memory is over 30 years old, but the Truth remains the same. Jesus changes lives. And those lives are never the same.
