subject: Trusting In Eternal Grace And Ending Eternal Boredom [print this page] Trusting In Eternal Grace And Ending Eternal Boredom
In the Middle Ages an Italian painter named Perugin was close to dying. Customary in his predominantly Catholic town was the idea of making a confession to a priest. For Perugin, it felt wrong to confess if it was only done in a selfish manner to simply relieve one's guilt or save their skin.
His wife asked him if he intended to go to confession before he died. The old painter replied, "Look at it this way, my dear. My profession is to paint and I have excelled as a painter. God's profession is to forgive and if he is as good at his profession, as I have been at mine, I see no reason to be afraid."
A fascinating verse from one of Paul's letters in the New Testament shares the unbelievable promise, "He saved us and called us to a holy life--not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time" (2 Timothy 1:9).
Incredibly, before time began there was the grace and forgiveness of God. It was to this belief Perugin entrusted his life. Centuries ago Teresa of Avilla said that God is not silent; it is we who are deaf. In a moment I want to share something that will improve our hearing.
Having previously served for a number of years as a pastor in the Cleveland area, I want to offer what I believe will prove to be a life changing principle when it comes to the area of prayer.
For many prayer is frustrating and boring when it is meant to be a passionate discussion. So let me put an end to the boredom and confusion by quoting from Herbert McCabe who shares, "People often complain of distractions' during prayer. This is nearly always due to praying for something you do not really much want; you just think it would be proper and respectable and religious' to want it."
Your spiritual life needs to make sense to your particular makeup. God has uniquely designed you to be an expression of himself. Prayer is meant to build you up and draw you closer to God.
If you find it boring it is because you are praying about things you don't care about, so begin to pray about what is really in your heart, what he has designed you to be passionate about.
This one principle alone can radically change the level of your spiritual fulfillment; especially in light of the fact we have been given all of the grace in the world.
