An Oasis of Grace W

hat’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word oasis?

A couple of feuding brothers who have brought us some of the world’s best music?

A refreshing thirst-quenching drink?

A scene such as you’ll see on these pages – a glorious sight for weary, tired, and thirsty desert travellers?

Probably most likely the latter and I’d like to take you there in your mind’s eye today.

Just imagine the feelings that hit you as you stumble upon such a glorious sight were you on your desert travels.

Relief, hope, life, joy, etc, etc.

Not many of us have been to such physical places but it doesn’t take much imagination to think through the impact of such a place upon us. Our desert experiences in life may come about through the loss of loved ones, the ending of a relationship, challenges with our health, the impact of a change or removal of a job, a home, or a country, worrying about the future - particularly during unsettling times such as we are facing these days. The energy crisis, the cost of living, war and a gloomy financial outlook to name but a few.

However, we find ourselves in a desert place, the prospect of coming across an oasis of relief, hope, life and joy is perhaps what we long and dream for.

Some years ago, when I was a Prison Chaplain, I remember sitting with a group of folks looking at ways in which we might help prisoners, upon their return to life in the community, to avoid the pitfalls of repeat offending. Many during their time in prison had begun to explore the Christian faith and we recognised that what might be helpful would be if the churches we were involved in and many others across the country could become an ‘oasis of grace’ where not only former prisoners but anyone who found themselves journeying through a desert season in life could come and find hope and grace – that most amazing of things.

Grace is something that is defined as: ‘a disposition towards kindness and compassion’ and when referring to what God offers us it is described as love freely given and completely undeserved. For many of us, when we begin to hear the church described as an oasis of grace that may not always be our experience. Forgive us – we aren’t perfect -but just as we set out to become something we’re not yet, why don’t you join us? Just think for a minute of what the world would begin to look like if everyone of us became an oasis of grace!

Our families, communities, workplaces, streets – slowly and quietly revolutionised by this amazing thing called grace where kindness and compassion become the norm, where love is freely offered and the things deserved are replaced with a smile, a sorry, it’s OK, no worries.

Such an attitude and disposition the apostle Paul in the New Testament described as like something we are invited to wear: ‘… clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love…’ (Colossians 3 vs 12-14).

Just imagine arriving in Queensferry and Dalmeny and there below the sign: ‘A Fairtrade Town’ was a sign which declared that we were an Oasis of Grace – Welcome!

Let’s make it happen – one street, workplace, community, family, and heart at a time.

Blessings

David