During the opening worship service of the Next Church national gathering, someone voiced a phrase right before our time of collective confession. I am going to remember it for a long time. It’s simple, but ultimately, such a reframing.
The leader said,
“We are held in a love we are not required to deserve.”
Oh, that’s so good. So good! Not just as a phrase but an orientation. Suddenly, when pondering love, forgiveness, belonging, or a myriad of other things, all those questions about deserve-dness (are we deserving? are we not?) are just completely off the table.
Because this is a love we are not even required to deserve.
I love that. I will use it in worship. I will say it to myself and others.
Smuggling Grace 
So good indeed!
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