GRACE IN ACTION

One of my life mentors was a man named Larry White. "Larry" as he was known to so many kids across our nation was the National Youth Director for the Churches of God. Ultimately he became the beloved pastor of the College First Church of God in Findlay, Ohio (where he became known as Dr. White to thousands of people in that academic community, but remaining "Larry" to those who had known in his youth ministry days). I was one of dozens of young leaders Larry invested significant time in to shape up into pastors and leaders of the Church.

The most important thing he ever said to me was actually a confession, "I am an unrepentant grace junkie!" Larry thrived on grace, preached on grace, practiced grace. Nothing else could ever generate as much as passion within him as the knowledge of and proclamation of the grace of God rooted in the unconditional love of God.

Grace - God's unmerited favor.

Grace is a countercultural value in our performance-driven, passionately judgmental culture. We are so passionate about our personal preference and desires that whenever anyone robs of us of that to which we believe we are entitled, that we are quick to condemn and to vilify the "thief."
Forgiveness is a reluctant attribute in our lives because we believe some should always pay for their mistakes (especially those impacting me) - unless, of course, it is my mistakes.

That's perhaps what is so compelling about Armando Galaragga's response to umpire Jim Joyce's call robbing him of his perfect game, no-hitter. Galaragga has chosen to be magnanimous and forgiving. He has extended grace to Jim Joyce. Joyce is deeply troubled by what his mistake has cost the young Tiger pitcher, but he is able to move forward despite the harassment because the man who he hurt the most has responded with grace.