Rev. Sean Kidd asks us to pause during this Lenten season and reflect on the incredible gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

REV. SEAN KIDD
Kalamazoo: Westwood UMC

“Will you pray with me, pastor?” one parishioner asked me right before we went in to worship. “I need your prayers.” I gladly took his hands in mine, close enough to draw in the familiar smell of alcohol on his breath. When we finished, he was crying. “I always cry when I pray.”

This was one of those extraordinary and sacred moments I will carry close to my heart. This child of God, who struggles with addiction, was once again searching for God’s light in his darkness. He knew his Lord was merciful and compassionate and longed for this man’s renewal and health of mind, body, and spirit.

In Ephesians 2:1-10, the apostle Paul beautifully illustrates the transformative power of God’s grace in our lives. This passage serves as a poignant reminder of our sinful nature, the incredible gift of salvation, and the importance of living out our faith through good works.

Paul begins by vividly describing our spiritual state before coming to Christ. We were dead in our transgressions and sins, enslaved to this world’s ways and under the influence of the evil one. This is a stark reminder of the darkness that is always crouching at our doors, clouding our lives, and highlighting our desperate need for a Savior.

But then, in the midst of our hopelessness, God, who is rich in mercy, intervenes. Out of God’s great love for us, he made us alive with Christ, raising us up and seating us with him in the heavenly realms. Through this unmerited grace, we are saved, not by our own works or efforts, but by faith in Jesus Christ.

This grace is a gift beyond measure, freely given to us despite our unworthiness. It reminds us of God’s unfathomable love and desire for reconciliation with his creation. As we reflect on this gift, may we be filled with gratitude and humility, recognizing that we are saved by grace alone.

However, Paul does not stop there. He goes on to emphasize the importance of good works in the life of a believer. While we are not saved by our works, we are saved for good works. These works are not a means to earn our salvation but rather a response to the incredible gift we have received.

As we continue our journey through Lent, let us be known for our love, compassion, and service to others. Let our lives reflect the grace that has been poured out on us, shining brightly in a world that is desperate for hope and redemption. Let us seek out opportunities to extend God’s love to those around us, showing kindness and mercy in all that we do.

The one whose hands I held in prayer is still seeking the Lord’s light of healing and grace as he has intensified his efforts to battle addiction. The community of believers in my congregation has wrapped their arms of love around him and continues to lift him up in prayer. He is receiving the needed help and support from his family. He continues to be transformed by the Holy Spirit and feels the magnitude of God’s light and love for us. Despite the difficult path he has traveled, he is one of the most grateful men I’ve met.

This Lenten season, as we travel toward Easter Sunday, I pray we, too, live each day in gratitude for the gift of salvation that we have received, striving to walk in the good works that God has prepared for us. May our lives be a testimony to the transformative power of grace, drawing others closer to the heart of our loving God.