When we were children, practicing was frequently the bane of our existence.
Endless loops of cursive handwriting; sticky valves on rented clarinets; stubborn keyboard ivories that mocked our stubby fingers. Practicing brought little joy as we outlasted clocks.
But then, perhaps, we found some sweet proficiency—some pleasing skill still short of smooth perfection. We scored the winning soccer goal; our fingers or our voices shared a recognizable tune.
And so it is as we learn grace. Against the backward pressure of our fears, we sing to others and ourselves of mercy when we least deserve it; of God’s rich kindness finally overwhelming all our callousness. We now rehearse the stories of what Jesus did; what He is doing; what He will do. “For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of His Son while we were still His enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of His Son” (Rom 5:10).
Practicing the gospel is all about repeating what is really true against the echo of our past. The Father still calls prodigals back home; embraces all who stumble on the way; forgives the ones who never seem to get the tune just right. Day by day, we grow in grace as we remind ourselves of Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
Keep practicing until you’re sure He got it right.
And stay in grace. -Bill Knott
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Grace At The Gates (November 22, 2019)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: The End of Magic (November 15, 2019)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Can You Handle The Truth? (November 8, 2019)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: More Day To Dawn (November 1, 2019)
Wilona Karimabadi: Beyond Thoughts and Prayers, November 2019
Cliff's Edge: So Thankful For Seventh-day Adventist, November 2019
Michael Yonker: From Disappointment to the Advent, November 2019
Search The Obvious: Reunions, November 2019
Lael Caesar: Prophecy Again?, November 2019
Gerald Klingbeil: Lip-syncing for God, November 2019
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Cross Purposes (October 25, 2019)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Staying In The Race (October 18, 2019)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: A Circle of Forgiveness (October 11, 2019)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Is It Too Good To Be True? (October 4, 2019)
Marvene Thorpe-Baptiste: Light A Candle (October 2019)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: When Everything Changes (September 27, 2019)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Sustainability (September 20,2019)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: When Politics Misleads Us (September 13, 2019)
Willie Oliver: Men? Victims of Domestic Violence? (Sept 2019)
GraceNotes: Environmental Truths (Sept 6, 2019)
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Straight TV
The Tangent on Veritas Catholic Network
Life After Ministry
Deep Dive
Beyond the Broomstick - with Medium Matilda