An old—and unworkable—policy from the Chicago trainyards once declared: “When two engines approach each other on the same track, neither can move until the other moves first.” It reads like an all-too familiar description of what happens when we find ourselves in conflict with someone. We stay put; we sit tight. We wait for the other to make the first move toward apology or reconciliation. Just as soon as our wounded pride is soothed and our correctness underlined, we’ll become—we promise—the forgiving persons we’ve pledged to be. It’s marvelously fortunate for us that the Father doesn’t act that way—that He takes on Himself the responsibility for moving toward us when we’re stuck in shame and brokenness. “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation” (2 Cor 5:19). Grace always moves toward pain and guilt and bitterness. It doesn’t pause to grind in wrongs, or tally all infractions and offenses. It seeks the peace for which we were created, the friendship that’s infinitely more valuable than the sum of others’ failures. “Be kind to one another,” the Scripture says, “tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you” (Eph 4:32). And you will stay in grace. - Bill Knott
Note: If you are blessed by GraceNotes, we invite you to subscribe.
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Beyond Debate (October 2, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Best Selfie Of All (September 25, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: The Road Much Traveled (September 18, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Re-telling Grace (September 11, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Grace Kneels (September 4, 2020)
Searching The Obvious - From Choice to Plan
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Beyond Regret (August 28, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Tenacious Grace (August 21, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: When Gratitud Is All (August 14, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Love On Trial (August 7, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Why We Forgive (July 31, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Can't Help Ourselves (July 24, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Say 'Thank You' (July 17, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Believably Good News (July 10, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Opening The Gates (July 3, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: One Good Work (June 26, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Walking Together (June 19, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Righting Our Wrongs (June 12, 2020)
Dixil Rodriguez: Forecast: Heavy Rain (June 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: First Personal Plural (June 5, 2020)
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Tangent on Veritas Catholic Network
Life After Ministry
Devoted To Prayer
Astrology of the Week Ahead with Chani Nicholas
Conspirituality