God, Grace and the Gift

On this day before Easter, I think about three things, God, grace and the gift.

Without God there would be nothingness.  End of story.  I wouldn't be here writing this, you wouldn't be there reading this.  If you don't believe in a universe created by God, you will, of course, disagree.  And you know what? That's your privilege.  But I've lived too long and seen too much to ever think that all of this - life, the universe, people, intelligent thought - is just happenstance, randomness.

Next, grace.  I can't even begin to comprehend this concept.  Theologically it's often defined as unmerited favor, a blessing given which is undeserved.   As messed up as I am, as many mistakes as I make, as unlovable as I can be - still, grace is poured down on me.  I am loved and forgiven - every time.

And finally, the gift, represented by the cross, the iconic symbol of all Christendom.  The gift was a sacrificed son.

The early Israelites could only obtain forgiveness for their sins through animal sacrifice.  Seems barbaric, strange, incomprehensible to 21st century minds.  But we have to be purified somehow.  What right do we have to think that we could ever be good enough to deserve to be in the presence of an Almighty God?

And so, the gift of a son sacrificed.



Day 7 of the Blogging A to Z Challenge, the letter G.
 

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