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: Received—And Given (May 22, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Grace Without Fear (May 15, 2020)
Jared Thurmon: Signs of the End (May 2020)
Transformation Tips: A Bible Primer For Crisis Management (May 2020)
Brinda Kiš: The Offer (May 2020)
Searching The Obvious: How Are We Doing? (May 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: All Of Grace (April 24, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Trusting What's True (April 17, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Morning Has Broken (April 10, 2020)
Journeys With Jesus: The Face of Seth (April 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: When I'm Afraid (April 3, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Alone, Not Lonely (March 27, 2020)
Expect Trouble to Break Out: A Conversation with Shawn Boonstra (March 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Glad To Pray (March 20, 2020)
Bill Knott: Acts of God (March 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: Growing Green (March 13, 2020)
Bill Knott's GraceNotes: The School of Grace (March 6, 2020)
Searching The Obvious: Pray For Me
Wilona Karimabadi: Happy Cereal Day
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Tangent on Veritas Catholic Network
Life After Ministry
Devoted To Prayer
Conspirituality
Astrology of the Week Ahead with Chani Nicholas