Grace, Power, Gospel

I just watched Steven Curtis Chapman sing the Cinderella song live on the Dove Awards Show (yes, I'm watching the Dove Awards... I already confessed that I'm a nerd, remember). You probably know that he and his wife lost one of their daughters in a tragic automobile accident this past year. Little Marie Sue Chapman was only 5 years old when she died. Yet, Steve, his wife Mary Beth, and the entire family went on to testify so faithfully to the goodness and grace of God in Christ Jesus. If you missed their interview with Larry King, you really should read the transcript. It was such an amazing and honest testimony.

Just about a month and half prior to Maria Chapman's death, another little girl was lost. Audrey Caroline Smith, daughter of Todd and Angie Smith, died just a couple hours after she was born. Todd and Angie were told that their little girl wouldn't make it a few months prior to her birth. And for the months that followed, Angie blogged her way through prayer requests, updates, and the general struggles of days filled with the prognosis that their little girl wouldn't grow up. If you've never read her blog, read it. (that's written in the imperative tense) You will catch a glimpse of God's grace, care, and power in a way that you just don't often experience. He's getting them through it.

I cannot conceive the utter hollow that these parents have felt at losing one of their own. Yet, they have all stood firm in their faith and continue to persevere in the Gospel. How do you explain walking through what they've walked through, believing in a sovereign God, and yet still praising Him? The only explanation is that He has granted them grace, faith, and peace to do so. He's real. The Truths we proclaim really are true. He really is strong in our weakness and He really does give grace to the Body of Christ. Really.

While I was writing this post, Steven Curtis Chapman was named Entertainer of the Year. He accepted the award by acknowledging that he had not won that award this year merely as a result of musical talent, but rather it was undoubtedly an expression of the love of his peers and fans in response to the loss of Maria. He went on to talk of their continued heartbreak over losing Maria, but of the sustaining grace of God in the midst of immense hurt. He closed with the reminder of the greatest of truths- We have hope in Christ and that hope should make us bold for Christ. That simple, yet profound declaration in the midst of such tragic circumstances is an expression of the simple, sustaining, transforming power of the Gospel. Christ truly has conquered.

So, as you read this... pray for the Chapman and Smith families. They continue to walk through difficult days and I am sure they would appreciate our prayers that they hold fast to the hope that has sustained them thus far.