Care of Creation 15: US Chapter

US Chapter - Engaging the Grace

How do I come to this chapter?  What do I bring?  

We began the work of this chapter with a theme of bold awakening, I find myself praying for the grace of boldness.  I bring an awareness of the boldness of Christ as a non-violent man in a violent world.  I bring an awareness of the price of war and mental anguish it causes.  I bring a passionate desire to bring about peace.  I bring a commitment to helping heal the wounds the war has caused and rebuild bonds of compassion, particularly between Muslims and Christians throughout the world.  I bring a changed heart and changed mind. 

 

Seven Scripture Quotes about the Grace of Boldness

“Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God's presence.”  - Ephesians 3:12

“We can boldly enter heaven's Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus.”  - Hebrews 10:19
 

“So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God…and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” - Hebrews 4:16
 
“So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you." - Deuteronomy 31:6
 

“Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.” - 1 Corinthians 16:13
 
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” - 2 
 Timothy 1:7
 
“The wicked run away when no one is chasing them,
but the godly are as bold as lions.” - Proverbs 28:1

 

There are more varieties of love than any other emotion, but the love that Christ teaches is a greater than any of these.  Courageous Christian Love is not an emotion, it is a co-motion.  It is not a romantic affection or a pleasant feeling of being at home with someone else.  It is a deep unity of heart and mind passionately resolved to bring about a bold new world.  


Boldness is a readiness to speak the difficult truth even when no one else agrees with you or is ready to hear it.  Boldness is courageous sacrifice with far-reaching, even eternal, consequences.  

I come to this US Chapter a bold woman, ready make a commotion, willing to speak truth, to make sacrifices and to love with all my strength and courage.