a space of grace

A space of grace

(This is written to describe what I felt was happening when God inspired an unstructured space for people to be cared for supernaturally and in a miraculous way during a recent Christian worship time.)

It takes a confident leader to let this kind of thing happen in a Sunday morning church service. She or he allows the clock to sleep and the carefully written order of service to be burned like a piece of flash paper in a hot burst…for something far better…unplanned and much like sunshine breaking through the blackness of a storm filled sky…a divine space of grace (and hope) opens in time.

Sometimes in a Christian gathering there is a spontaneous and touching phenomenon that occurs usually during focused worship to God. Older God fearers call it an altar call; like an invitation by God himself to enter his embrace. Some say it is a manifesting of heavenly presence called the Shekinah glory; as in the days of ancient Israel when the people were enveloped in a cloud of holiness and were undone, overwhelmed and stupefied by the presence of God.

Time closes its eyes, sleeping in hushed glorious mystery while sensitive, searching and open hearted people call out, responding to the unspoken allure of some perfect loves beckon. They come hands and faces raised, parched and famished like deer who have long wandered in lonely dry hills; into the springs and gardens of God for refreshment transformation, sustenance and peace.

Yes, it is a space of grace. An opening in the heavens where the soul finds satisfaction and there is no more curse provoking mind or body or spirit. Grace Himself strokes every affliction with a healing salve.

A smile appeared where pain had racked an aged face. Sleep slow dances the mind where torment used to enflame subconscious and conscious emotions. Bones are knit, organs balance chemically and mend, while schizophrenic voices and images are stanched by one song of solace, you are free my child be free, you are loved my child be loved, you are home my child be home…with Me.

Right now in the space of grace is up-close and personal time with God. This isn’t church playtime with rehearsed prayers, religious toys or clever media trappings.

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty

Leaders who are arrogant bullies or spiritual know it all’s can miss a space of grace easily. They want to control access to God with their schedule, word, agenda or domineering ego. Control the access and you control the people.  No sermon they preach can match or minister like God the Spirit set free in a space of grace opened in vulnerability and humility by a good shepherd sensing that God longs to give His love in a special heartfelt way.

Within the space of grace are often defining moments of dedication, milestone pillars of faith and personal discovery of calling to service. These moments become the catalyst for new beginnings and bold courses of living that set seekers on a course for adventure into Gods great unknown.