NorthStar Community Daily Devotional

May 13

Scripture focus: So, my very dear friends, don't get thrown off course. Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven. The gifts are rivers of light cascading down from the Father of Light. There is nothing deceitful in God, nothing two-faced, nothing fickle. He brought us to life using the true Word, showing us off as the crown of all his creatures. James 1:16-18 The Message

Pete has spent his Sunday mornings at NSC for eleven years, ten of which he’s led a men’s group. It’s an unusual collection of people. Many of the men who participate come from the local treatment facility; their schedule permits them to attend for awhile but not for long. This constant flux causes Pete some organizational heartburn. But it is losing guys back to the streets that break his heart.

There’s a guy in the group who used to be an addict and agnostic; now he’s in recovery and has found his higher power – Jesus. His sobriety and spiritual awakening have shocked everyone. A year ago he was barely conscious – now he is fully awake to spiritual things, vibrant in his love of life.

Our friend understands grace – although he never requested it. Grace showed up uninvited even though it was completely undeserved. God’s dynamic gift of grace is healing, illuminating and reconciling him to God and others. This young man never intended to get to know God; he showed up for coffee and biscuits. On bad weather days a morning at NorthStar was one way to find shelter from the rain, snow, heat or cold.

Grace cannot be acquired or possessed, hoarded or held onto. It is eternally free and blows where it will – much like the Holy Spirit that gives it. We can open our hearts to receive it, but we cannot control it nor does it seek to control us. The constant hope that grace might show up on any given Sunday is what keeps Pete coming back with biscuits and coffee in hand.

Clinging to the objects of our obsessions fills all the spaces in our mind, heart and hands that grace can occupy. It is the will and the desire for these objects that cause harm – not the objects themselves.

What treasure do you seek? One desperate man came in search of biscuits, coffee and shelter from the weather. He ended up acquiring God’s unmerited favor, the gift of peace and joy for living. This grace grew beyond the borders of his heart, changing how he thinks and behaves. Reconciliation has occurred in his family and he’s able to keep a job. He didn’t know that there could be anything better in life than a handout. What he learned is that a hand up is pretty powerful. Grace got him started; gratitude keeps him going. What keeps you going, the search for treasure or the gift of grace?


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