How Sweet The SoundSample

Amazing Grace

I can relate with the slave-trader turned Christian abolitionist, John Newton, who penned Amazing Grace. Especially this part, especially the bold. 

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.

I was a wretch. The time my wife of five years, pregnant with our second child, found out I was unfaithful. The time I sat watching my three-year-old, trying to decide if I needed to call poison control after she sucked on paraphernalia laced with last night’s high. The worst part was my lack of remorse. 

Yet, by Jesus, I came to see my mess. And by His Grace, I got out. I didn’t earn it. I certainly did nothing to deserve it. It was every bit of amazing. How could my wife’s Creator, my child’s Father, the Maker of the Universe love me enough to sacrifice His Son, Jesus, in my place? All before I made an absolute wreck out of my marriage, my family, and my life—all before I ever turned to Him. 

The Apostle Paul said it plainly in Romans 5:8. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Maybe you feel you’ve messed up one too many times. Maybe you want to receive that grace, but you’re afraid you’ll mess up again. Trust God to be enough. Where my sin increased, His grace abounded all the more. As bad as I was, I used but a drop out of the ocean of grace that flows from Christ. There was enough for me, and there’s enough for you.

I was blind. I was lost. Now, I’m found. I was a wretch, but now I’m something else. By grace, I am a child of God created with a purpose. I am a great father to my children. My wife and I will celebrate 17 years of marriage this year! How precious did that grace appear. 

He can restore your sight and help you see something new for yourself, something beyond your imagination. 

This year, I will celebrate six years on staff as a pastor. I know. It still sounds unbelievable to me, too. But that’s the sweet sound of amazing grace that saved a wretch a like me. 

—Jon

Pray: Jesus, show me my lost places I cannot see. Heal the messes I have made. Save me from my own brokenness. Guide me to restoration beyond my imagination. Amen.