There All The Time

Who knew?

When most people think of my home town of Detroit, Michigan, the first thing they think about is crime.  I have to admit, the city does have a reputation.  Last summer, however, I was able to see the city through another pair of eyes.  My daughter, normally away at school, was home for the summer.  She urged me to attend free outdoor events with her at the New Center Park.  To put this into context, you have to know that I worked in the New Center Area, less than half a block away from the park, and had not yet attended any of the events.  Sad, I know.  It took the adventurous spirit of my 20 year old-hey, it's free-let's go before I leave the country-daughter to convince me to give it a try.

We attended a latin music concert, and discovered a fun, multi-cultural gem right there in the heart of Detroit.  We watched people of various ethnicities and all ages singing, clapping and dancing under the stars.  We ate food, sang along, and marveled at this cosmopolitan offering in our own back yard.

Who knew?

Grace and Peace

Grace and Peace

Throughout the New Testament, grace and peace are extended to fellow believers as a greeting.  “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you, through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,” (2 Peter 1:2); “Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 1:7).  There are numerous other examples.

How often do we take this phrase to heart?  Grace.  Peace.  Neither concept should be taken lightly.  When I look at the state of our world today, it seems that both grace and peace are needed.  How much would grace change the rush hour commute if it replaced the “me first” behavior of many drivers?  Surely, one car trying to exit a business parking lot might be given the ‘grace’ to do so.  Yes, this is an extremely simple interpretation of grace, but imagine the implications of a gracious mindset rolling up to larger and larger issues.  How might grace change a parent-child relationship that is paralyzed by lack of communication?  Or two nations whose leaders are struggling with thoughts of using nuclear weapons?  How might grace change my own thoughts, shifting my focus from negative self-talk, to encouraging myself, as David did?

As grace is increasingly given, peace cannot help but follow.