A few months ago I had the pleasure of going to a friends wedding in Michigan. I was traveling on my own to this wedding, and didn't know who I would be sitting next to for the next 3 hours or if I would even take the opportunity to talk to this person.
I packed the book, "Jesus Is ___" by Judah Smith. If you don't know who this guy is, you need to check him out. He is an amazing speaker, pastor, and author.
I was only 3 chapters into this book, so a plane ride alone sounded like the perfect time to dig in!
I arrive to Tampa International Airport, board the plane, and find my seat. At first glance, my seat partner was a gentleman who looked to be in his late twenties, cool style, I was thinking musician, or artist… my kind of person. I said hi, but continued to pull out my headphones and closed up to focus on myself. It was too early for a nap, so I also pulled out my book, "Jesus Is."
Once we were in the air, my seat mate brought out a journal, and little jars of water color, and then a pen and paint brushes… I thought to myself, is this guy really about to paint on the plane?! Really?!?!
Yes my friend, he painted, nearly the whole flight! I pegged it on the head! He was an artist!
I got back on track, and sucked into my book! I couldn't help but get into the words that were practically melting off the page! I just kept underlining things that jumped out at me. Finally I get to the chapter called, "Jesus is Grace" that is right when the flight attendant came around, asking for our drink orders. I put my book down to get a water, and the gentleman sitting next to me looks over at me and says "So what is Grace?"
First of all, I was completely thrown off by this question… I was thinking, "did this guy see what I was reading? Is he making fun of me? What the heck? How do I even answer that?!"
*Okay, I know you are reading this going, "psh, I could answer that! Grace is…" and you are probably spouting off your answer in your head right now! Im sure!*
Well try to answer that question when a complete stranger asks you. Try to answer that when you want to be the best representation of Christ to another human being… its not easy!
I looked at him, shocked… and all I could say is, "Well, thats funny that you ask that! Im just about to start a chapter on grace…"
Hoping and praying that would be enough of an answer for him, so he would leave me alone… and I could unscramble my thoughts to find a legitimate answer…
He looked at me again, and said "No really, what is grace to you?"
Trying to seem calm I answered, "well, Jesus Is Grace to me. He gave his life so I could attain grace, so I could live in grace… I…. I don't really know how else to explain it. Its unexplainable! But that is just what I think!… Wait… what is grace to you?"
I still had no idea if this guy was making fun of me or what he believed in, but he agreed with me. He kinda chuckled and explained that he knew of Judah Smith, and I learned that this new friend of mine, travels, preaches, and paints as he is speaking to crowds. His name is Will.
The rest of the flight we got to know each other, and had a deep conversation about our faith, life, and what grace was to us.
Once we landed, Will looked at me, and said "Hey, keep thinking about what grace is to you… and let me know what you come up with!"
I has been months since that flight… and still to this day I ask myself what is grace?
Here are a few random thoughts about grace, that are only a small part of a very large gift, that none of us deserve… but we are given grace on a daily basis, even when we don't know we have it.
"Grace is something I am allotted every single day. Something I don't deserve, Something that was bought for me at a very high price.
Grace is so simple that we have a hard time believing it could be true. But Im convinced that unless its too good to be true, its not grace.
Grace is free because it wasn't free for him.
Hope for a needy world = grace.
You can meet Jesus, he is the personification of grace.
Grace is missing an opportunity and being given another one.
Grace is internal. It works in a heart level. Where rules force us to do the opposite of what we want, grace actually changes what we want, it creates consistency and integrity. Doing what is right becomes much easier because of grace."
Grace is having a relationship with someones heart. Not their behaviors.
Grace encompasses more than I can explain with words… it is a love, it is an expression, it is forgiveness, it is a lifestyle, it is unexplainable, it is Jesus.
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| The art created in the middle of our convo about grace. By Will Rosenberg |
I never imagined that one plane flight would bring up one question that I would be talking about months later.
On my flight back to Tampa from Travers City, I just laughed and thought there is no way I am going to ever have a flight like I did on the way here!
I was right, it was a totally different flight, with totally different people… But God still spoke to me on levels that I had never experienced before.
I had the opportunity to sit next to a beautiful lady, Melanie. I once again opened my book, "Jesus Is." This time I was almost done with the book! WOOHOO!
I was on a chapter that at the top of the page it said "The Good News"
She looked over at the lady on the other side of her and started talking about what she was reading… and then she turned to me and asked "So you're reading about news? are you in journalism?" and I said "Actually no, Im reading about how Jesus is the good news. How he died to give me grace, so I can live a life without fear, so I can wake up free everyday!"
I had no idea what that statement was about to bring up, but Melanie ended up sharing her story. She told me how she grew up in organized religion, and how her parents kicked her out, how she does not want to ever pressure her son into believing anything specific. I just kept praying over her every chance I got to on that flight.
Let me tell you, I love this lady! She is so stinkin cool! She has a hand blown glass company, and she is incredibly talented!
As the plane landed, I had this gut feeling to just give her my book. In my head I said "No way!!! This lady is going to hate me. She will never read this, She doesn't care to read about something that she has been burned by. Plus I only have one chapter left! I have underlined all this stuff… I need to keep this. Maybe I will send one to her!" and as soon as I talked myself out of giving the book to her, I felt another tug on my heart. I knew I had to give her this book!
Once I swallowed my pride, I was ready. I knew if I didn't do it then, I could possibly never see her again. I knew even if she didn't read the book now, that I could at least show her that I valued her. I valued our new friendship, and maybe she will keep it on her shelf and one day pick it up!
I awkwardly gave her my book, and insisted that she take it! She accepted my gift, and we parted our ways.
Melanie's story is amazing, but it is far from over.
That day, I saw grace in action. I experienced it in a new way. I was a vessel of grace. I knew God was using me. I didn't know how to communicate, but he gave me the words… because of grace.
Im still to this day pondering what Grace is... fully…
So, What do you think?
What is Grace?
