Come on In!
Date: August 25th, 2024
Canvas: 24” x 30”
[Not for Sale]
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. –2 Corinthians 5:21
John Lynch’s message, which he delivered in a powerfully dramatic style, was about getting seduced by the ‘Path of Pleasing God,’ a path that leads to that glimmering ‘Arena of Good Intentions,’ where everyone goes in through ‘The Door of Effort’ and hides behind a mask of performance to win that big victory of validation. But, it’s a hollow prize because the only thing that gets validated is our mask.
John then talked about an alternative path: the ‘Path of Trusting God’ that leads to ‘The Arena of Grace,’ where one gets to be real about both, one’s ugly and beautiful parts. The prize here is being known and accepted completely by God and people.
Waiting and listening for the image at the beginning of the service, a pounding song of freedom was sung. Images came to my mind of people dancing and leaping in the air…liberated from shame…embracing each other. Then, I remembered the Olympic basketball game with players and supporters leaping up and down together after the gold medal victory. This is the Arena of Grace, except Jesus was the one who won it for us, 2000 years ago.
Straight away upon entering into God’s grace, you are given, “...the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory [Col. 1:27].” You only need to walk through the ‘The Door of Humility’ to receive it. So, come on in!