Some months ago I was buying books in my favorite book store. I handed the books to the clerk who scanned them into the cash register and then nodded to me to swipe my credit card through the device on my side of the counter.
After I swiped my card, I stood idly gazing at the device, waiting patiently for the series of steps that would comprise the transaction. Then the word APPROVED appeared on the diminuative screen.
I suppose that on most days I wouldn't have paid much attention to the fact that some authority somewhere had granted me permission to spend too much money on the armload of books I had gathered.
On that particular day, however, the word APPROVED spoke deep into my heart. I was stunned by the eternal, all-encompassing acceptance that filled me, "pressed down, shaken together, and overflowing."
Somehow, God's inescapable love for me echoed through my consciousness. It was rich and thick and almost tangible, and I glanced at the clerk and the other shoppers, thinking that surely they too were aware of God's message. It was hard to believe that they were oblivious.
Only when the people around me smiled back at me, did I realize that I was beaming. Only then, did I take note of the light-hearted, joyous feeling welling up from inside me. I am accepted. I am okay.
Suddenly, nothing else mattered.
God has chosen me. When I respond to His outstretched hand, I am approved. I'm imperfect, but I am accepted on the basis of the Christ's perfection.
And not only am I approved, accepted, acknowledged . . . I am invited into the family. I am adopted and made an heir. Not only am I accepted today, but I have a brilliant future ahead.
What an amazing blessing.
1 comment:
When you beamed at those around you, did you realize that you were wearing a "grace face?"
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