Evening Walk

But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound (Romans 5:20)

Tonight, I walked to the pharmacy near my house. It's a short walk, barely 10 minutes at best. It was dusk and on my way to the pharmacy I saw darkness in one part of the sky - maybe storm clouds. In a panic that I might get caught in some rain, I rushed and was able to finish my errand quickly. On the way back, there was still enough light where I could move at a much more comfortable pace. This time, instead of walking towards the darkness, I could see the waning light of day and a few clouds. It wasn't the most beautiful skyscape I've ever seen, not even close, but it really caught my eye. Even with just a couple clouds and 2 or 3 colors (blue, yellow, maybe orange), it was quite beautiful. I caught myself saying out loud, "Wow," several times.

I had been humming a popular hymn and had my mind fixed on the LORD, so my thoughts were drawn to considering how immensely and undeniably beautiful God's creation is, even in its broken state. You see, I know that because of sin, this world we live in is a broken one. I'm sure many people would agree with me as its hard to ignore the violence, poverty, injustice, and selfishness littered across the nations, present in all flesh. Sin is everywhere and it's a cancer that is slowly destroying this world we (temporarily) call home. But even in the midst of all the sin, God's glory cannot be contained. His beauty cannot be denied.

But who is able to build a temple for him, since the heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain him? (2 Chronicles 2:6)

God's majesty and splendor cannot veiled by sin. While sin may have robbed this world of its innocence, it can never outshine God and anything He does. Even in a nuclear winter, the sun will shine above the clouds. And even if the sun goes dark, God himself will never cease to shine. Sin cannot subdue God. The LORD Almighty is exalted above all things. I think about China and other nations where persecution against Christians is widespread. Despite the darkness, God's people (the Church) are shining bright and making disciples at a rate that would rival the events record in the Book of acts. That is why Paul writes that where sin abounds, grace did more abound.

Grace is God's favor and blessing, offered to those who do not deserve it. Despite our sin, He gives us light. Despite our guilt, He shows us mercy. Despite our shame, He clothes us. This all adds up to one thing, one Man.

Jesus Christ is the culmination of God's grace. We offered Jesus a crown of thorns, but He offers us a crown of life. We offered Him pain and torture, but He offers us peace and comfort. We hated Him, but He loves us. We offered Him death, but He offers us new life. Despite all amounts of sin and brokenness, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the glory of the Father bursting through. He cannot be contained and the heavens (the sky, the stars, the sun, the moon) all cry out with His praise. You see, tonight God wasn't just showing me that the sky retains its beauty despite all the imperfection on the surface. What He was also saying, more importantly, is that no matter how sinful we are as individuals, the Son of God has the power to make each of us beautiful once again. Sin is no match for His grace.

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

To elaborate, I want to share what happened a couple weeks ago when I met a homeless man at the train station. He was polite, pleasant, and we made some conversation while I waited for my train. His name is Frank. I asked him what he thought God might think about him and the situation (homelessness) that he found himself in. The gentleman's answer was that, "I think He would think I've been a bad son." It was an honest answer and sadly, though I could tell it was painful for him to answer the question, he seemed to have accepted it. But I heard God speaking to me. So I shared with Frank that while it's true we have all fallen short of God's glory, just like the sky is still painted with beauty overlooking a sick world, there is still hope. We still have hope because of Jesus, because He paid the price for our sins at the Cross. He died a death we all deserve, to give us a choice.

You, my reader, you have a choice. You have two options: 1) Continue in sin, submitting to your flesh, chasing all the world has to offer or 2) Admit your sin, submit to God's will, following Christ no matter what the cost. One path is easy to follow because we all start there and for many people, they don't even realize anything is wrong with it. But it's this world/me-centered path that leads to darkness, suffering and eternal punishment. The other path might require some sacrifice and disciple but it will ultimately lead to victory. What is victory? Victory is being able to join Christ in His resurrection, looking forward to a life to come that will be so good, so amazing, and so beautiful. In fact, the place God is preparing for those on this path will be so astounding that even the most beautiful sunsets, skyscapes, and nature scenes we've ever witnessed on earth would be completely forgotten. It makes me think...is there anything better than, "Wow," that I can say out loud then?

For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. (Isaiah 65:17)