I liked this book a lot. It was one of my picks for our adult book club at the Library. I wanted something non-fiction and something spiritual. I have read others of Max Lucado's writings but not this one. I had to choose something that the library had enough copies of for all our members.
"Here's my hunch: we've settled for wimpy grace. It politely occupies a phrase in a hymn, fits nicely on a church sign. Never causes trouble or demands a response. When asked, 'Do you believe in grace?' who could say no?
This book asks a deeper question: Have you been changed by grace? Shaped by grace? Strengthened by grace? Emboldened by grace? Softened by grace? Snatched by the nape of your neck and shaken to your senses by grace? God's grace has a drenching about it. A wilderness about it. A white-water, riptide, turn-your-upside-downness about it. Grace comes after you. It rewires you. From insecure to God secure. From regret-riddled to better-because-of-it. From afraid-to-die to ready-to-fly. Grace is the voice that calls us to change and then gives us the power to pull it off." (pg 8)
My favorite, but hardest, chapter was chapter 5 - Wet Feet. About Jesus washing the disciples feet.
"And Judas. the lying, conniving, greedy rat who sold Jesus down the river for a pocket of cash. Jesus won't wash his feet, will he? Sure hope not. If he washes the feet of his Judas, you will have to wash the feet of yours. Your betrayer. Your turkey-throwing misfit and miscreant. That ne'er-do-well, that good-for-nothing villain. Jesus' Judas walked away with thirty pieces of silver. Your Judas walked away with your virginity, security, spouse, job, childhood, retirement, investments.
You expect me to wash his feet and let him go?
Most people don't want to. they use the villain's photo as a dart target. Their Vesuvius blows up every now and again, sending hate airborne, polluting and stinking the world. Most people keep a pot of anger on low boil.
But you aren't "most people." Grace happened to you. Look at your feet. They are wet, grace soaked. Your toes and arches and heels have felt the cool basin of God's grace. Jesus has washed the grimiest parts of your life. He didn't bypass you and carry the basin toward someone else. If grace were a wheat field, he's bequeathed you the state of Kansas. Can't you share your grace with others?
'Since I, the Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other's feet. I have given you and example to follow. Do as I have done to you.' (John 13:14-15 NLT)
To accept grace is to accept the vow to give it." (pg 59)
I cried through this chapter. I have deep hurts. Christ knows all about them. I have talked to him about them many times. I have, over and over, forgiven those that hurt my family and I. But, I am only human. I am not perfect as Christ was. I must forgive them again when Satan, or just my own memories, bring things back to my mind. Most of the people that I forgive have never sought my forgiveness. They don't think they did anything wrong. But, for my own good I continue to forgive them.
In the back of the book there is a Reader's Guide, a study guide. Unfortunately I did not notice it until I was almost done with the book. But I am keeping the book and finishing the study guide. I want to. I feel it would be a great benefit to me.