In a recent communication between his mom and him, he told about his recent ‘shore leave’ when they are allowed to go into the city of the country in which they’ve found port. The navy requires the men leave the ship only in groups, so often you are accompanied by people you don’t know really well, but they have the same ‘off duty’ shore leave as you. This particular time, for this young navy man, caused a bit of inconvenience. He told his mother of the uncomfortable experience of leaving the ship with this group of fellow soldiers only to be told by the others that they would be first making a needed stop. When they arrived, he realized that it was a location offering the services of a prostitute, and he was captive to wait until all of them had done there what they intended to do. He disgustedly mourned the loss of his shore leave time spent in such a way, as well as the fact that several of the men who were being ‘serviced’ were married.
This experience (as it was retold to me) highlighted two realities for me as I pondered it:
1 – “But for the grace of God, there go I” Apart from God’s saving, transforming work in my own heart, I would be lost to flounder in self-gratifying attempts without moral compass just like them. It may not be this specific form of seeking my own pleasure, but I, too, would search out & follow my own brand of idols. Perhaps it would be more socially acceptable (shopping therapy, the lure of accomplishment, pride in my family & home, etc.), but it would be no less ill-directed. I would worship something/someone other than God & His good designs---to my own demise. This reality produces a humble acknowledgement of my need for God on a continual basis. For even as a new creature in Christ, my heart is quick to take note of false gods who brazenly yet falsely offer their ‘salvation’, much as Eve listened to Satan in the garden.
2 - “Because of God’s Grace, my path is far different” What made James (the young man from the above account) repulse at the behavior of his fellow sailors? Why did the immediate gratification not have the same draw? In my own life, how is it that I enjoy a marriage of stability and commitment? The answer is not found within ourselves or some righteous component we bring to the table. It is the gospel. And this fills me with gratitude for the measure of grace that God allows in my own life and lifestyle choices. My salvation in Christ ---his grace--- frees me from many of the broken results of such folly-filled relationship choices: infidelity in marriage, broken homes, physical diseases, emotional heartbreak, on & on the list goes.
I ponder God’s goodness in my life, because of His grace through the gospel, and marvel at all I’ve been allowed to experience in the beauty of His marriage design: the stability of a relationship of fidelity, sexual intimacy within the bounds of committed, selfless love, the unity of a long-term bond without fear of a ‘better option’ coming along, and on & on it goes. How grateful I am for how different the gospel transforms our lives. And I dare not take this for granted.
And so I consider….do I feel self righteous pride and condemnation toward those sailors far away from their ‘loved ones’?
Quite the opposite:
But for the grace of God, so go I.
Thank you, God, for your amazing, transforming, protecting grace….which I do not deserve but which you’ve poured out in abundance.
May it fuel my love for and obedience to you.
This was a much needed reminder for me to hold tight to God and his guidance in my life. Although I may not commit the "worst" of sins, I can feel my sinful heart being pulled toward worldy things. I am helpless without God's loving grace in my life.
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