April 16th – grace that defines and circumscribes my life

On April 16, 1967, in a small cluttered vestry in Hamilton Baptist Church, at 9.45 pm, in the company of the Rev Charles Simpson, I gave my life to Christ. Not everyone’s conversion is as time and place specific, but that was how God found me. Ever since, April 16th has been as important as my birthday, my wedding date, the birthdays of my wife Sheila and my children.

I don’t tend to compare these significant dates and draw up a priority list of significance. I am who I am because I was born of the two parents in whose love I was conceived. I am who I am because Christ called, and I followed, overwhelmed and apprehended by a grace I still don’t understand. I am who I am because since 1970 when I met her, and 1972 when we married, my life and heart have been given to Sheila with whom my life is now entwined. I am who I am because two other human beings who happen to be my children are likewise intertwined in some of the deepest relationships and commitments of our lives.

All of which said, that grace that seeks and finds, that fills and impels, that renews and regenerates, that pushes and pulls, that grasps with inexorable gentleness and holds with steadfast intent, that judges with mercy and forgives with joy – that grace that entered my life with transformative purpose and power, that grace which is prevenient and immediate, sovereign and condescending, sufficient and demanding – to be saved by that Grace through faith, by that One full of Grace and Truth who dwelt amongst us, and dwells within the heart that trusts enough to surrender to Him – that Grace, is what defines and circumscribes the life I want to live and the person I wish to be in Christ. And just as well that God’s self-defining approach to us is so full of grace, mercy and peace – for in my weakness there is grace, my failures there is mercy, and in the assurance of the Gospel, there is, more or less, most of the time, peace. And when there isn’t, that may be because that same grace and mercy are again drawing me to the one who is our peace.

Thanks be to God for his gift beyond words…….