September 26, 2025

On August 27, I wrote about having read Niall Williams’ book This Is Happiness. It is one of those books that sticks around long after having been read. In it, the narrator notes, “In many versions, all of life is a fall from grace. In this one, I’m hoping to go the other way. I’m working on life as a rise to grace, after a fall. After several falls, in fact.”

Such a delightful thought about grace. Yes, we typically think of “falling from grace” but never about “rising to grace.” What if the moments of our life were filled not with fears of falling from grace but, instead, filled with moments where we rise to grace?

What difference might that make in our lives? Being wrapped up in “falling from grace” is a fear-based way of thinking and way of living. We are caught up in the ways of the world that dictate how we are to react, to live, and to respond in our daily living. We fear any deviation from those norms and shiver at the possible condemnation that may come with pointing fingers, with sideways glances, and with being shunned. When we worry about “falling” in the eyes of the world, for not thinking “correctly,” and for not acting “appropriately,” we act small.

Paul was often condemned for not being “correct” or “appropriate.” And yet, no apostle spoke or wrote more about grace than Paul, the apostle of grace. He opened each of his letters to the early churches with the words “grace to you.” He consistently reminded his readers of the grace of God so as to pull, to encourage, to cajole, and to love his readers into being grace-full; i.e., to “rise to grace.”

Our world needs more who rise to grace right now.

Rev. Eric