Hello,
The Pittsburgh Steelers hold their training camp in Latrobe, Pa, just
over the ridge from our house. So,
last week, when my son and his wife were visiting, we decided to visit the
training camp and see what goes on.
I was surprised by a couple of things: first, it is amazing how close
you can get to the players, closer than you or I could ever get at a football
game, and second, IT WAS ALL FREE! When we ventured onto the grounds we could see people
standing on the sidelines and right behind fences that outlined the field. We took our place in the stands….about
15 rows up at the 50 yard line…in the shade. Walking down the stairs I immediately spotted Ben
Rothlisberger, who must have seen me, because he waved at me. The split end to whom he was going to
throw the ball may have thought that Ben was waving to him, but I know his wave
was really directed at me because when I was a pastor in rural Ohio, Ben was
the quarterback at the neighboring town’s high school, making Ben and me this
close (fingers crossed). It was
great being so close to all the players, seeing them interact with one another,
catching the expressions on their faces when their helmets were off, and seeing
just how BIG they are. It was a
treat! AND IT WAS ALL FREE! No charge for parking. No charge for the seats. No charge for autographs. IT WAS ALL FREE! Thank you Steelers!
Maybe it is because it happens so often, I am not as amazed that Sunday
after Sunday when I go to church I find myself so close to God Almighty, and
like the Steelers training camp, IT IS ALL FREE! * Sunday after Sunday, God draws nearer to me than I could
ever expect as God gathers me around the altar and I receive the body and blood
of Jesus in, with, and under the bread and wine of Holy Communion. And when I come to the altar, God
doesn’t just wave at me, instead the word of God is spoken directly to me,
“This is my body….this is my blood…given and shed for you.” Far closer than the 15th row
in the stands, every Sunday morning God unites with me in a bond so deep that
it is beyond human understanding. And when God does, I feel the
peace of God interacting with me, I experience the joy on the face of God as
God takes hold of me with forgiveness, and my wobbling knees are infused with
the power of God to set me on my feet again and walk with confidence and hope
in my daily life. What a
treat! AND IT IS ALWAYS FREE! That is what grace is. Free, unconditional, unexpected,
undeserved love. Life giving, hope
producing, sin erasing, joy exploding, death crushing love. AND IT IS ALWAYS FREE. Thank you God!
It’s amazing! Sunday is
just around the corner!
Have a great week!
God’s grace and peace,
Pastor Jerry Nuernberger
*I know that there is
an offering collected each week…but notice, no one is ever excluded if they
give nothing, no one receives anything greater if they give a lot….the offering
that is collected is in truth a response of thanks and personal discipleship.
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