What Does Grace Mean To You?

What does grace mean to you?

Note to readers: The Star occasionally invites Indianapolis-area faith leaders to reflect on major spiritual topics or current events. Over the next few weeks, "Faith Forum" will feature some of those replies. The first topic is "Grace is an important topic for people of faith, but its meaning is not always clear. What does grace mean for you and your faith tradition?"

KP Singh

May 31, 2014: Grace evokes beauty and gentleness, serenity and sweetness, a pleasant persona and admirable spirit. In the spiritual context, grace is much harder to describe, grasp or achieve. Divine grace leads to enlightenment, awakening of our deep-er self and a liberating eternal reunion with God. Sikh scriptures introduce God as one: immaculate, supreme creator, self-existent, self-illuminated, all-knowing, compassionate, forgiving, father and mother of all beings with indescribable attributes, countless names and beyond human comprehension.

Grace is a divine blessing that God in his infinite mercy and benevolence can bestow. Grace cannot be achieved by our own endeavors; by lifetimes of meditations, sacred recitations, monastic living or learning; nor by extreme measures, austerities, pilgrimages or false rituals to seek God's favor.

In Sikh doctrine, no one is outside God's grace, regardless of faith, culture, gender or social status.

One must follow the wisdom enshrined in sacred scriptures, faith legacy and honored tradition: Acknowledge God's divine light and presence in every living being; understand God's timeless truth but remember that "higher still is truthful living." One should also dwell in a spirit of optimism, engage in righteous labors and serve God's creation with unconditional surrender to his will.

God's grace restores one's faith and provides freedom from being self-centered, as well as an invitation to come closer to him.

Human life is our time to know God. Only through all-embracing love, seva (selfless service) and gracious acceptance may we discover God-light within and all around.

God alone determines our worthiness of his Nadar (glance of grace) and when to bestow emancipating liberation (salvation) from the cycles of life. It makes eternal union with God possible.

- Kanwal Prakash "KP" Singh, Sikh community leader, Indianapolis

Walker-Smith

Do you know the song "Somebody Bigger Than You and I"?

Mahalia Jackson made this song famous. Here are some of the words: "Who made the mountains and the trees? Who made the river flow to the sea? Who hung the moon in the starry sky, and who made the flowers bloom in the spring? Who made the songs for the robin to sing and who made the rain when the earth is dry?"

This song points to the definition of grace. The song poses the question of who (God) has the character to offer such generosity - even when we, who benefit from such generosity, fail in our receipt and care for such gifts. For the songwriter, such unearned generosity may be understood as God's grace.

Grace is also extended by us. Some of us understand this all too well. Perhaps it was when you were faced with a difficult decision about raising your child. This may have been a situation where your child was experiencing a growing pain that you found difficult to accept and you were pushed to lash out, and yet you restrained yourself. You may have prayed about it or took time out and found a healthier way to further extend yourself to your child. Perhaps it was when you were in the company of someone with whom you strongly disagreed and decided to actively listen to them.

Perhaps it was when you decided to forgive a close relative or friend who offended you in some way. Grace challenges us to be bigger than our limited pre-judgments, assumptions, feelings and comfort zones.

Grace dares to invite us to imagine new possibilities and to never let faith die. May you be blessed to extend and experience grace with unlimited measure.

- The Rev. Angelique Walker-Smith, executive director, The Church Federation of Greater Indianapolis