Wednesday, May 12, 2010

42 Years of God's Amazing Grace

This is my maiden post. I've created this blog nine months ago. When I finished with this post, I would have turned 42. 42 years of amazing grace. The title of my blog is a slightly plagiarized version of Adrian Plass' book, The sacred diary of Adrian Plass, aged 37 1/2. I read it many years ago and found it exceedingly hilarious. He has written some other funny books as well as serious books. One theme that runs through his books even the funny ones is brokenness. We are messed up people. We will meet all sort of weird and messed up characters in his books. Well, it's exactly 12 midnight now. Happy Birthday to me! As I reflect on these 42 years of amazing grace, I just remember this beautiful hymn

I know not why God’s wondrous grace To me He hath made known, Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love Redeemed me for His own.

Refrain

But I know Whom I have believèd, And am persuaded that He is able To keep that which I’ve committed Unto Him against that day.

I know not how this saving faith To me He did impart, Nor how believing in His Word Wrought peace within my heart.

Refrain

I know not how the Spirit moves, Convincing us of sin, Revealing Jesus through the Word, Creating faith in Him.

Refrain

I know not what of good or ill May be reserved for me, Of weary ways or golden days, Before His face I see.

Refrain

I know not when my Lord may come, At night or noonday fair, Nor if I walk the vale with Him, Or meet Him in the air.

Refrain

There are echoes of TULIP in this hymn.

So no matter how messed up I am, the Father who has elected me unconditionally, the Son who has died for me, his elect, the Spirit who has applied what the Son has accomplished in my life, this Triune God will preserve me unto life everlasting. Amen.