Contemplative Bible Reading

Ephesians 2:7 (New Living Translation)

7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.

I am an example. I am an example of the incredible wealth of God’s grace and kindness. I am an example of all God has done for me as a person united with others by Christ Jesus.

Whoa! Look at me! I’m so special. NOT.

Grace is unmerited favor shown to a person who has done not-so-good stuff and needs a big helping hand. That’s a pretty good description of me. In all my failings, God is still kind to me.

A kid walks into Starbucks and spills their hot chocolate all over the floor right next to the door. A stranger walks over with a hand full of napkins and cleans the mess and hugs the child. That stranger is so kind to the kid and the kid’s embarrassed parent.

That’s just a little example of a tiny bit of kindness God shows to me. Just a tiny bit.

Perhaps in generations to come, someone will say, “Remember that Dwayne Phillips? He tried to be a good guy, but good grief he wasn’t. Still, God was kind to Dwayne.” Hmm.