As the “Forty Years of Amazing Grace” Conference ended, I, as the chairperson, was left with a heart filled with gratitude for so many good and generous brothers and sisters who gave their all for the three days.  Their selfless energy and hard work blessed the attendees, and we can say together, “It was glorious!”  I was also struck with the thought, “What exactly was the grace of these forty years, and how has this grace affected the church?

             So many subtleties and yet the face of the Church looks quite different today from when I was growing up in her.

             By the power of the Holy Spirit, we lay people have been prepared to exercise the call of our Baptism as sons and daughters of God the Father.  We have been actively equipped, and this anointing of priest, prophet, and king has also been realized by millions of Christians throughout the world.  This life, called Baptism in the Holy Spirit, given us and empowered in us, has brought this truth alive in us and in the world.  We recognize the truth that Jesus Christ is living Lord – that He is Emmanuel (God living among us), and can literally be depended on to lead us along the way that we should go.  Through this faith journey, we enter a real conversion that seems to be an ongoing way of life.  A deep hunger and thirst for the Word accompanies this call, and we come to understand this transforming Word in our everyday lives.  Our egocentricity is gradually transformed to a christocentric life that gives us a true sense of right order and peace.

             Our prayer life no longer consists of just reciting prayers, but of a sincere dialogue, born in our hearts, that communicates with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and can receive God’s mind and heart shared with us in a personal relationship far deeper than ever known or imagined.  We know that we know – an experience to bring us into eternal life.  These deep truths are lived out in our everyday experiences of home, family, job, social contacts, and church life.  We use the charisms of the Lord in service to all.  We minister and serve as called in all of these situations, and have a profound effect on family and society.  The saying, “Where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more,” is certainly true in our world.  I dare to think where I would be today without this grace.  God have mercy!

             As millions of us who have been baptized in the Holy Spirit experience this same grace, who but God can see how we’ve affected the world.  Can we not rejoice that the victory of God has once again conquered sin and death!  Life in Christ conquers the world, the flesh, and the devil.  Alleluia!