Grace

Grace is one of those Christian words we toss about freely.  It's worthy to be tossed about, don't get me wrong;  And I wonder if we don't actually grasp the depth of the word.  I recently read the word grace in Romans 1:7: "I am writing to all of you in Rome who are loved by God and are called to be his own holy people. May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace." (NLT)  Paul (the writer of Romans) often begins and ends his letters with the idea of God giving grace and peace.  It occurred to me that though I can define grace, perhaps I wasn't comprehending it's full measure of meaning.  I headed to my dictionary. 

Grace: Noun. 1. Seemingly effortless beauty or charm of movement, form or proportion.  2. A characteristic or quality pleasing for its charm or refinement.  3. Skill at avoiding the inept or clumsy course; a sense of fitness or propriety.  4. a. A disposition to be generous or helpful: good will.  b. Mercy; clemency.  5. A favor rendered by one who need not do so; indulgence.  6. Temporary immunity from penalties granted after a deadline has been passed: a period of grace before a new law is enforced. 7. Theology. a. Divine love and protection bestowed freely upon mankind. b. The state of being protected or sanctified by the favor of God.  c. An excellence or power granted by God; an unmerited gift from God.  8. A short prayer of blessing or thanksgiving said before or after a meal.  9. Used with his, her or your as a title of courtesy for a duke, duchess, or archbishop.  10. A musical embellishment, such as an appoggiatura.       Verb. 1. To honor or favor.  2. To give beauty, elegance or charm to.  3. Music. To embellish with grace notes.   [Middle English, from Old French, from Latin gratia, pleasure, favor, thanks.  from gratus, favorable, pleasing.]

Grace is a mouth-full of a word.  No wonder it often becomes a pleasurable, encouraging go-to word.   As I look at the single verse in Romans 1, I notice some parameters for this grace. This grace Paul is referring to is to be given to those who are loved by God, who "are called to be his own holy people." This grace comes from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. My first thought is I should just jump to the definitions under #7, Theology.  That would be sufficient if I didn't have any clue as to the meaning of the word.  I would gather an understanding so that I could comprehend what I was reading.  I wasn't looking for sufficiency; I was looking for depth, wonder, and the power found in the living Word of God.  I am acutely aware that the variety of ways words are defined hint to connotations that hide within the word regardless of how it is used.

When I look at the definitions of the word grace these are the connotations that come to my mind: lovely, attractiveness, enjoyable to behold, movement, holding one's head high, confidence, a feeling of being honored, chosen, within the top echelon, beyond the normal, creative, extra perhaps to the degree of extravagance, a gift, a realization of the "beyond-ness" of something, a bonus, delight.  Think about that… ALL that.  God: our creator; the One who longs for relationship with us to the degree that He sacrificed the very life of His only Son to provide a way so that we could have relationship with Him; the One who loves us with an unfailing love; the One who allows us to be called His Holy (seriously?) people; THAT God goes even further and bestows upon us that which is divinely lovely and enjoyable and enables us to hold our head high with confidence. He blesses us with bonuses that create forward holy movement in our hearts and lives.  He is extravagant toward us, delighting us with gifts to remind us that we are honored and chosen. He is creative in His giving and He delights in our delight. 

Ephesians 2:8 tells me His grace is a gift, a present.  I imagine it wrapped in an extravagant bow.  Second Corinthians 12:9 tells me God's grace is all I need.  His grace is so abundant, so beyond whatever there is that it provides complete and total sufficiency for whatever I face.  Hebrews 4:16 reminds me that God's grace helps me.  That seems like a no-brainer to me when I consider that God is going to extreme lengths to strengthen me, enable me to hold my head with confidence and remind me that I am honored and chosen. Romans 6:14 speaks to the truth that I have freedom in God's grace.  Oh what a wonder that is.  God so blesses me, that I can be assured of my place In the world and in His heart, that I am freed from the judgment, condemnation, and expectations of this world. He is my focus, my heart's cry and who I lean into for encouragement and hope, which God so graciously gives. John 1:16 tells me that God goes beyond the beyond because He gives grace upon grace.  He provides with abundance; He loves with abundance; He strengthens with abundance; he blesses with abundance.  Sufficiency has never looked so excessive. 

Simple warning: our culture tends to associate gifts and blessings with monetary items.  God is not our culture; God is so much wiser.  I have to remind my heart on some days that God's blessing, His grace to me, may come in the form of enabling and strengthening me to accomplish an extensive to-do list.  For this random, in-the-moment, 'are we having fun yet?' girl -- that's miraculous. Some days, God's grace to me is a window of sunshine when I head out to do errands on a rainy day.  Some days, God's grace to me is a song that reminds me of truth from His word, and I am reminded to humble myself before Him and submit in obedience to His commands.  Some days God's grace to me is tender words from my spouse, or one of my children, or a close friend.  Some days God's grace to me comes in unexpected surprises.  I remember one l-o-o-o-ng drive home from an event, when I was pleading with God over a want/need. I rounded a bend and displayed before me was the sun setting in one of the most spectacular views I have ever witnessed.  I was caught off guard and in complete awe of the majesty of the creator, God Almighty.  The Holy Spirit whispered His presence to my soul and I wept.  It still brings me to tears to remember the generosity and blessing of His grace in that moment.  Did he fix the circumstance, provide the want/need in that particular second?  No.  He gave me what my soul truly needed: His presence, His assurance, and a display of His glory.  That is grace.  

Today is just a day in the middle of a busy week.  There are dishes to be done, laundry to be folded, floors to be swept, furniture to be dusted, lessons and group discussions to prepare, cards to be created and notes to be written.  And I am loved by God.  He sees me and calls me Holy.  He is with me, offering me an abundance of grace and peace for the moments that this day holds.  That's just who He is.  And that too is grace.

                                                                                                                                                   

(Amazing grace image found at crosscards.com)

No Place Like Home

I have spent quite a bit of time in Psalm 90 recently.  I read a portion of it months ago and one particular verse grabbed my heart and spoke to me.  I had no idea of the actual context of the verse, but it became a jumping off point for me in this years Mother's Day sermon.  I studied the Psalm:  I read it in different versions; I did word studies; I researched cross-references; I contemplated a variety of commentaries.  I discovered there is A LOT to Psalm 90.  There are so many different ideas and challenges one can pull from this rich prayer. I can't say how many times I have read the whole Psalm, but enough to think that not much would grab my attention within it for another 6 months or more.  It has just become so familiar to me. 

The other morning I read through the Psalm yet again, in The Passion Translation, praying that God would reveal Himself and keep the passage fresh.  I got to the second verse, yup, just the second verse and the phrase "the one and only true God" stopped me in my reading. The Holy Spirit prodded my spirit and I wrote down this statement: "How easy it is to get distracted by other things and see them as "god." 

What?  Where did that come from?  That has nothing to do with what I had been focusing on!  It connects with all I've been researching and studying and yet it still isn't in the main vein of where I had felt God leading.  Then came the a-ha:  oh. this is for me. 

I begin to  process the phrase from the verse and the statement provided by God's Holy Spirit.  I made some notes related to the "other things" I get distracted by:  I give them a weight or importance they don't deserve; I talk about these things as if they should have weight or impact for others;  I spend too much time focusing on them, thinking about them; I work and adjust my schedule to find more time and ways to enjoy these distractions; I spend money on them; I rationalize them by labeling them hobbies, or a fun interest, or a side-hustle.  I realized that these "other things," move from a blessing, to a distraction to something that consumes me and then God gets pushed aside. 

THE God, the One and Only TRUE God, is described in Psalm 90:1 as my "eternal home, [my] hiding place… (TPT translation).  Think about that: God is my home, God is your home.  If God is my home, then He should be the One I am rushing toward when I'm ready to escape any stress I face.  If God is my home, then it is with Him that I am most myself, most relaxed, most with my guard down.  If God is my home, then I take pride in caring for Him, improving the relationship I have with Him, updating our relationship and keeping it continually current.  If God is my home, He is the place I hide from everything that causes me pain and fear.  If God is my home, I am with Him everyday; we spend time together, hanging out, relaxing.  If God is my home, He is where I go to be refreshed and restored every day when I'm done with the work I must do.  If God is really my home, perhaps I would be less distracted by other things. 

It's hard to make God my home when I'm not convicted and convinced He is the One and Only True God.  When I am anchored in the truth of the reality of who God is, He naturally is given the place of honor in my life that He deserves and I find in Him my rest and my peace.  He becomes home.  When I am consciously aware that God is the Almighty, the Sovereign Creator, then I lean into giving him my time, my energy, my finances and my first commitment over the enjoyable but temporary things of this world.  He becomes home.  When my heart and soul willingly submit, longing to please, honor and delight God alone,  God overtakes me and God as my home becomes tangible-- hands-on real. 

There are many good and worthwhile things that can become a distraction for me.  Often they are the very abilities and activities God challenges me to use to minister His love and grace to others.  It is so tender to me that God wants more than just busy-ness from me.  He wants to overwhelm my life with the wonder of who He is and all He is to me and in me and through me. I am humbled by His goodness as He calls me to deeper intimacy with Him, the One and Only True God. 

My street address is found in Ontario, Oregon.  First Peter 2:9-11 tells me I am God's chosen treasure, God claims me as His own, I am included with God's people and I am a resident alien and foreigner here on this earth.  I think I need to spend more time at Home.

The "UGH Zone"

More than 6 months ago I came to grips with the reality that I needed to lose some weight.  I had gotten in the habit of snacking too much, and eating more of the things that are not the best for me at meals.  I began a diet and I was faithful.  I stuck to the plan, I made wise choices, I created better habits.  I hit a plateau when I had three pounds left to lose. 

I entered the "UGH! Zone."

I lost a pound, I gained two. I lost a pound, I gained a pound.  I lost two pounds, I gained a pound.  I lost a pound, I gained three pounds….  Up and down, up and down, never hitting the desired "goal weight."  I began to get bored with the whole dieting process, and I allowed myself treats more often.  I was still choosing wisely at meals so I didn't just add on all the pounds I lost.  I remained in the "UGH! Zone";  close enough to my goal weight to believe I was still going to make it, but far enough away to not close the deal. 

At one point, I endured a colonoscopy, and for 24 hours I hit my goal weight.  I hoped that I would gain a pound and then be able to hit the goal weight for good. Nope.  I gained three back within 24-48 hours and the "UGH Zone" continued.  Taste bud boredom reintroduced bread.  My son's visit home reintroduced M&M's to the cookie jar. A holiday with friends reintroduced ice cream into my freezer.   A few days ago I got on the scale to have an updated measuring point and I am now facing the reality that I have 5 pounds to lose. 

Considering I have already lost about 15 pounds, five more pounds is definitely doable, AND I'm tired of working to get rid of those pesky pounds.  I am no longer seeing my goal as positive and healthy and doable.  I'm struggling with feeling tired, unsuccessful, and defeated.   Why is this whole process so hard?!

I admit, I don't want to eat healthy, I want to eat where my whim takes me.  AND I want to give the appearance of being healthy.  My husband would comment, "that'll preach."  How many times do I treat my relationship with God like that?  I want the benefit of having a close relationship with the Creator of the Universe AND I want to live selfishly.  Ouch. 

Just like I can't rely on a diet to fix all my health issues, I can't rely on a weekend retreat now and then, or periodic church services or listening to the Christian radio station to compensate for not making the daily choice to enter into God's presence.  I need to be gaining wisdom while I read the Bible, leaning in to hear the Holy Spirit reveal truth, hope and peace.  I need to be sitting at the feet of Jesus praying: telling Him of my love and gratitude, and then listening as He speaks love and gratitude to me; sharing my joys and sorrows,  and then listening for what is giving Him joy and what is making Him weep; expressing my doubts and concerns and then listening for His assurance, wisdom, and direction. 

When it comes to my whole dieting scenario, I need to be choosing to be committed to being the healthiest I can be so I can live life fully. It has to be more than just being able to fit comfortably into my favorite jeans again.  When it comes to my relationship with God, I need to be choosing to be committed to knowing Christ intimately, becoming united with Him in attitude, worship, perspective and purpose. It's more than having a bit of Jesus now and then; more than being friendly when we happen to bump into each other at church or while an encouraging song plays on the radio. Does that sound tough? Too hard? Too much of a cost?  Perhaps.

I have been learning to speak truth to my self.  Truth that is based on scripture.  Truth about who God is, who I am in Christ, what Christ longs for me. I've discovered that I often want to rely on cultural truth, and buy into the ideas of worldly comfort and success because they feel good.  AND I've discovered that cultural truths have a tendency to focus on me, creating within me a strong leaning toward selfishness that is not God honoring.  Speaking Biblical truth to myself strengthens my faith and my trust in a God who loves me unfailingly even when His ways seem to go against cultural norms.  I need to honestly say that sometimes the cost is hard, but it is never too much.  The trade off that I receive for my obedience, for choosing to live as a servant to the Most High King, is exquisitely satisfying.

I probably need to speak truth to myself about what I am actually choosing to eat on any given day.  If I don't I may remain  be in the "UGH Zone" of my diet, struggling with what is not being accomplished. And I am grateful that Jesus has accomplished such a work in me that there is no "UGH Zone" in my relationship with Him. 

Hallelujah!

Happy Birthday

Today is the birthday of my firstborn.  There have been many things about that day that I have forgotten in 29 years, and there are some things that will stay with me forever. She was beautiful the day she was born, and is beautiful now, 29 years later.  She and I are officially the same age now, 29. I have much experience in this season of life, so much to share with her. 

I originally hadn't planned on having children.  To be honest, I find children adorable and quite frightening if I'm left entirely alone with them.  To think that I would birth such a miracle and have to take it home with me, to care for, raise, keep fed and safe was something to make me hyperventilate.  And then something happened.  A switch was thrown, and I let my husband know that I wanted one of those soft, cuddly humans that scared me to death.  Longing overcame fear and God gave me the gift of a delightful, beautiful daughter. 

She has taught me much, as all children do to their parents.  God originally said to procreate and fill the earth, but I wonder at times if He knew that children were the perfect tool to form His people more and more into His image.  She demonstrated the marvel of how God created us in those months  of learning to roll, and sit, and crawl, and stand and then walk.  She reminded me of the wonder of the world and of learning as she toddled about.  She taught me to seek the face of God for wisdom and  patience when her first child tendencies exhibited themselves.  She revealed to me the delight of worship and unfailing love when she would give me those amazing chubby arm hugs.  She enabled me to see how the tradition of going to church was fascinating, marvelous and a precious homecoming every week when she started looking for churches to attend while we would be on vacation. She uncovered my own fears and insecurities when she would struggle and weep.  As I sought to comfort and guide her, God comforted and guided me. 

God astounds me as he gives me gifts I ask for, especially when I have no clue what I'm really asking. I am grateful that I didn't know what I was asking; I may have rescinded my prayer.  Instead, I was given a precious measure of joy that is beyond anything I can imagine  or express --even now, 29 years after the gift was given.  I continue to be thankful as she continues to teach me more about life and the God who loves us both so much. 

Happy Birthday baby girl. I love you. 

A Visual Display

Spring is in full bloom.  The trees in my back yard have beautiful blooms, my tulips open each morning with the sunshine, and I've had to begin pulling weeds.  My husband and I traditionally anticipate the first peeks of green that pop from the ground, reminding us that consistent warmer weather is just around the corner.  That warmer weather has begun to settle in and I am overjoyed, especially as I step outside and breathe in the aromas that make my husband sneeze but make me giddy with delight: tulips and lilacs and hyacinths and blooming pear trees. We've begun taking evening walks again; partly for our dog's benefit and  partly to enjoy nature's visual spring glory.  If you didn't know anything about weather, or the change of seasons, it  would still be obvious that there is something happening in the world.  Nature provides an amazing visible display that declares winter is over and it's time for the earth to awaken and treat our senses to it's incredible wonder.

God reminded my heart this morning that the distinct obviousness of Spring is a wonderful visual of something He expects  of me.  I was reading Ephesians 2:1-10 this morning, reminding my heart of truth: God is rich in mercy; He loves me with a great and wonderful love; He has given me the incredible gift of salvation; He is renewing me; and He is creating me to be a masterpiece.  The Holy Spirit challenged my spirit with questions like: how am I influenced by this present age? How am I still governed by my sinful self? How and where do I want to indulge the desires of my human nature? How and when do I give into the impulses of my mind? The Holy Spirit was asking me to deal with some hard stuff and I felt myself wanting to gloss over the questions and not really deal with them.  Somewhat in "distraction mode," I decided to read the passage of scripture in different versions. 

I love how God just keeps nudging me in ways that I don't always notice.  The clincher came when I read Ephesians 2:7 in The Passion Translation: "… we will be the visible display of the infinite, limitless riches of his grace and kindness, which was showered upon us in Jesus Christ." As I was reading, I was also staring out my window at my tulips, and God drew some connecting lines for me.  Just like the tulips and the trees blooming in the back yard give me a glorious visual that Spring has truly settled in, I am to be a glorious visual that Jesus Christ has settled in my heart.  People should get an aroma of Christ when I enter a room.  There should a distinctiveness that declares Jesus has changed me.  I am to be a visible display of immeasurable, exceeding,  undeserved kindness.  I am to be a visible  display of remarkable compassion.  I am to be a visible display of grace, undeserved favor and mercy. 

My mind now reads Ephesians 2 with a side note of "I'm to  be a tulip, declaring the truth that Jesus has come." It's a little easier to handle the questions the Holy Spirit used to prod my soul, when I imagine myself growing to be the most beautiful tulip.  I want to declare His glory; be an expression of His excellence.  I want to be freed from the weeds that the world wants to grow around me, that detract from the beauty of my blooming.  Jesus is making me to be a masterpiece, and I'm imagining a tulip.

A Little Nudge

There have been various times in my life when people have given me a little nudge to try something or do something. Those little nudges have led to the discovery of new things to enjoy.  In High School a friend wanted to try out for a play, and she nudged me to do it with her. It opened a door for one of the major activities of my High School life!  Several years ago, a friend nudged me to start my own  business, and with much fear I allowed myself to be pushed.  Eight years of running my business taught me so much, broadened my skill set and renewed a confidence in my abilities to persevere.  I've been nudged to taste new veggies  (hello delicious jicama!), attempt a new sport (golf anyone? Or Barre?), and try new fashions (okay, that doesn't take much of a nudge…).  I've been nudged to go for evening walks, read a book, try a recipe, spend an afternoon exploring, attempt the l-o-n-g-e-r hike, play a new game, and the list goes on.  Each of us have people in our lives who nudge us now and then to step out of where we are and step into something fresh.

Do you remember the Bible story of Mary and Martha?  They were throwing a dinner party and Jesus was coming.  Martha was putting all the plans together and Mary was her assistant.  Jesus arrives in the midst of the preparations, and Mary takes the opportunity to sit at his feet and listen to the conversation that takes place around her.  She is soaking in every ounce of Jesus that she can.  When Martha picks up on the fact that Mary is no longer helping, she falls apart a bit and complains to Jesus and asks him to basically tell Mary to get her little behind in gear and help with the preparations!  Jesus softly corrects Martha with the statement that Mary has chosen what is best, and He's not going to take it away from her.   

Fast forward a bit.  Mary and Martha's brother Lazarus has gotten really sick and they send for Jesus to come heal him.  When you are good friends with the Messiah, there are times you just have to pull the Friend Card.   Jesus comes, but he purposefully delays because he has plans  to reveal the glory of God.  When he reaches the outskirts of town, it's Martha who is leaving all the responsibilities at home to come talk with Jesus.  Martha learned to depend on Christ, to come to Him for her needs, her strength, her comfort.  Mary is back at home with the mourners, caught in a cycle of grief that seems to be overpowering her.  After Martha talks with Jesus she goes back home.  John 11:28 says, "Then she returned to Mary.  She called Mary aside from the mourners and told her, 'The Teacher is here and wants to see you.' " Mary needed a little nudge.  Mary needed to be prompted to see beyond what was right in front of her, to believe in what she didn't yet fully know. 

I've been like Mary.  I've been so distracted by the circumstances of life that I haven't run immediately to Jesus.  I needed someone to nudge me.  I've experienced moments when I've grieved over what is not to be, and I became overwhelmed by my loss.  I needed someone to nudge me.  I've watched hopes and dreams fall by the wayside and I've drawn into myself out of disappointment and deep discouragement.  I  needed someone to nudge me.  I've faced situations that are beyond my ability to comprehend and I've become frozen by fear and uncertainty. I needed someone to nudge me.

As I caught a glimpse of that precious moment in John 11:28, I was reminded of the truth that we are the body of Christ.  We are called to work in unity, together, filling in the gaps for one another.  Ephesians 4:15,16 says, "… we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way  more and more like Christ, who is the head of the body, the church.  He makes the whole body fit together perfectly.  As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so  that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love." (NLT)  Sometimes my "special work" may be to nudge someone to go to Jesus.  Sometimes, I need someone to nudge me so that I can be "healthy and growing and full of love."

Jesus didn't come so that we would be saved and then journey life alone.  He came so that we could have relationship with Him.  Do you need to be nudged to sit awhile with Jesus?  He's waiting. He's able to handle whatever you are dealing with.  He's prepared to bring about new life.  Go ahead… let me nudge you a bit… go to Jesus. 

Perhaps you hear Jesus whispering a name to you of someone you love.  Perhaps she needs a nudge. Maybe God is calling you to love another member of His body enough to help him grow, and he needs to be told that the Teacher is near and wants to speak with him.   Go ahead… let me nudge you a bit… step out in obedience.

Sometimes, we all need a nudge.

Be Set Apart

I've heard before about the idea that being holy means being "set apart." I get the idea that I am to be different from my typical selfish human response. And I've realized that sometimes that feels so very overwhelming! How different am I supposed to be? Am I supposed to be different from others in EVERYTHING I do? Won't people think I'm a freak?
Sometimes God makes unique connections for me so that I have a visual. There's a story in the Bible (John 8 to be specific) where Jesus is hanging out in the temple. The story reads in such a way that you get the idea Jesus goes to the Temple every day so that he is where the people are, easily found and readily available. The narrtive opens with the Scribes and Pharisees finding him. They drag in an adulterous woman and in the Amplified Version it says they make her stand in the center of the court. The visual in my mind has these men pushing an embarrassed, mortified, barely covered woman into the center of a wide open area and then quickly distancing themselves from her presence. I imagine them pointing at her and with loud voices telling Jesus, and everyone in the vicinity, her sinful story in descriptive detail. They intentionally draw attention to her faults and failures, more concerned with their agenda than the individual they ridiculed. It's as if they never really saw her.
As I saw the story play out in my imagination, I was horrified. My heart was weeping as I realized they were stripping this precious woman of her value.
I wondered if I've behaved like the scribes and the Pharisees. Do I get so intent on my agenda, my things to do, that I strip another person of his or her value? When I'm in a hurry at the store, am I rude to the person helping me with my purchase? As I push my cart through the grocery store, am I considerate to the elderly man creeping slowly down the aisle in front of me or to the mom trying to shop and corral three grumpy children? When I'm driving home and am focused on all the things I still have yet to do, do I glare, obviously annoyed, at the cautious driver I zip around?
I know if one of my friends brought this line of thought up and asked me if I thought she was acting like the Pharisees, I would aim to reassure her with the idea that she wasn't acting with the same intentionality as the Pharisees in the story. But when I tried to rationalize my own behavior, I had to face the truth that when I act in such a manner, I am concerned with only me. To live as someone "set apart" I need to become more aware of ALL the choices I make. I can't assume that all my reactions are godly; I need to take the time to process and purposefully choose each behavior. I need to be in tune with my emotional state, and be honest about selfish or unkind behaviors that could come from uncontrolled emotions. I don't want to fall into the habit of  believing my agenda is more important than any person I encounter.
God wasn't finished giving me visuals; He continued to reveal the story to my imagination. I'm aware that in the story, the author emphasizes Jesus writing in the dust. I've participated in discussions contemplating the idea of what Jesus was possibly writing in the dirt. As the scene played out in my mind, I was struck by the idea that Jesus didn't stare the Pharisees down. Jesus made his statement and then went back to occupying himself with drawing in the dust. He honored the inherent value of the Pharisees by providing them the opportunity to face their own sinful choices without condemnation. He treated them in the exact opposite way that they had treated the adulterous woman. I know that when I've been in a "serious discussion" (translation: argument) with someone, and I've just delivered my zinger line, I want to keep my eye focused on them. I want that moment when I'm proven right. When I act in such a manner, I'm choosing my agenda over valuing another person. Jesus' example shows me a need to stand for truth AND then I need to allow truth to do its work all by itself.
God still had more to teach me from this encounter. Jesus chose to look at the woman no one else wanted to see. He looked at her, he talked with her, and he accepted her where she was in that moment in time. He didn't ridicule her, condemn her, chastise her. Jesus offered the woman three things: forgiveness, hope and freedom. Jesus offers her forgiveness when he tells her "I don't condemn you either." Then Jesus tells her "Go. From now on, sin no more." (John 8:11, Amplified) With a simple "go" Jesus instructs her to move forward from this moment and live life. Jesus doesn't want any of us to be stuck in a moment that brought overwhelming fear, ridicule or pain. Jesus offered this precious woman hope that she didn't need to live as a victim or with bitterness. Lastly, Jesus offers the woman freedom from the sin that had trapped her in a life that was all about selfish desires. Jesus values who she is by challenging her to live as she was created to live: honoring the One who forgave her and gave her life hope.
Jesus set an example for me to accept people where they are, period, no conditions. Jesus set an example of offering forgiveness before someone changes his or her behavior. Forgiveness is a gift emphasizing someone's God-given value. Jesus' example teaches me I am to encourage others to move forward in life; I am to value others and choose to treat them in a way that doesn't encourage an attitude of bitterness, or leads them to believe I see them as one who is unacceptable or unforgiveable. Jesus' example provides me with the purpose of discipleship. When I value others, I believe they can be more than they imagine with the help of the Holy Spirit. God places people in each of our lives to influence for His glory and He calls us to make disciples; to teach others the ways of living a God-honoring life.
First Peter 1:15, in the Amplified version says, " [Be set apart from the world by your godly character and moral courage]. " I'm not to physically set myself apart from others. This world may not be my home, but it is my current residence. While I'm living here, I am to live out Jesus' example, showing  godly character and moral courage → just like Christ did with the adulterous woman. It's time to set aside my selfish agenda and choose to treat others kindly, see each individual's value, stand up for truth, offer forgiveness, hope and freedom. It may sound a bit overwhelming if I had to do it all on my own. Thankfully the call to be holy, the command to be set apart, comes with the gift of the Holy Spirit. 
To God be the glory.