God’s Grace Is Never Redundant

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Phil 3:13-14 NIV

I came to realize after a midnight emergency surgery as an eight-year-old that I could live a long and fruitful life without my appendix. It may be considered a redundant organ, but it sure caused me a tremendous amount of pain when it ruptured. It wouldn’t be considered a redundant organ for a second grader when you had to miss being in the school’s Christmas program. According to scientists, certain body organs adjusted to changing circumstances which forced them to adapt to the changes such as the appendix, wisdom teeth, and goosebumps. Now, I never realized that goosebumps were considered a body part until writing this post.

The lowly little appendix though is a great example of something making a comeback. New research shows the appendix may have an essential role in gut health, helping the immune system fight pathogens and houses bacteria that repopulate the gut microbiome after an illness or antibiotic use. (info from an article by Julia Craven) “Sometimes redundancy has a way of showing up under certain conditions; they’re not truly redundant. Going back to the appendix it’s been suggested that it does have a use,” according to Michael Snyder, director of the Snyder Lab at Stanford University.

There are natural causes for body organ changes but there is also a burgeoning plastic surgery business in body part changes. If it can be tucked, tightened, folded, adjusted, enlarged, or decreased you will find a booming business. Americans alone spent approximately $26 Billion on plastic or cosmetic surgery according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Globally that amount increases to $112 Billion with Brazil leading the world in cosmetic surgeries but the United States dominating in nonsurgical cosmetic procedures. Getting a liposuction was the most popular surgical procedure worldwide in 2023.

People may spend billions to get their body parts moved and realigned but spend precious little time on critical soul issues such as anger, anxiety, idolatry, bitterness, rage, slander, pride, and the list goes on. Plastic surgeons may give amazing results with all the money spent worldwide but can you imagine what a difference it would make if we chose to focus on doing some soul surgery?

The Apostle Paul may not have been a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, but he did have some valuable insight on what makes a person truly beautiful. Writing in the book of Ephesians he proposed some major surgical removals. “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.” His post-surgical recommendation followed, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Eph 4:31-32 NIV)

Paul understood long before society would be spending mega-billions on plastic surgery procedures that it would have limited value. The best Plastic Surgeon can only give temporary results, but Paul had a more eternal perspective in mind when he wrote, “to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Eph 4:23-24)

Megan Fate Marshman, in her book, Relaxed writes, “First, we open our hearts and come out of hiding to our God who loves us. Crack open anxiety, worry, envy, jealousy, arrogance, pride, laziness, lust, disobedience. We can’t do this in a day because our hearts didn’t get that way in a day.”

March 5 begins the season of Lent when a large part of the church family celebrates 40 days of fasting in preparation for Easter. Historically it has been a time of giving up something with the intended purpose of drawing nearer to God. Instead of giving up something material such as coffee, chocolate, or electronics, can you imagine the impact if more focus on some of the things Paul mentioned? Granted it is harder to deal with anger than to give up chocolate but focusing on Paul’s lists would be life-changing.

I am not big on Christian cliché but one that makes a lot of sense is, “Christianity is not a religion, it’s a relationship.”  Jesus understood fully that we would struggle to transform our lives and made provision that we wouldn’t have to do it alone. “Spiritual disciplines do not transform you. They open you to the God who can.” (Dr. John Coe) The transformed life starts and ends with Christ within you.

Jesus gave us an amazing way to deal with our soul’s burdens, himself. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

Now that is a transformation that lasts forever!

God is great!