“When you feel like the luckiest guy around, you don’t get sour.”

Is this the comment of someone who just won the lottery? Or a sports team that just won the World Cup by a millimeter? No. It’s the comment of our friend, Dan Russell from last week’s BlogTalkRadio interview, on how he feels every day of his life. Having survived a massive stroke in miraculous fashion, he merely thanks God for every day.

He even has a roundabout way of talking about God’s grace. “Hanging out [in Paris] for two weeks with U2 … when I saw myself in the mirror, [I’d say], “You’ve got to be careful, they might find out who you really are… I always felt I was the odd man out; I just hoped they wouldn’t find out, and I could keep playing with them.”

For someone who months ago couldn’t speak, sing, or walk much less play his guitar, now he can do all four. Honestly, he feels like his entire life is undeserved and not the result of his hard work or cleverness, but only because of God’s grace. No wonder his days begin and end with gratitude.

“A day after SoulFest (a 3-day outdoor concert event in New England, that Dan’s production company, NewSound, puts on every summer that will draw approximately 15,000 people this year), I’ll look over my right and left shoulder and say, ‘Well no one’s coming for me; I can’t believe I’m getting away with this.’”

Ever felt like that? Like you’re getting away with something, or you are playing way over your head and you just hope that no one finds out? I thought I was the only one who felt this way, but now I think we all feel this way from time to time. It’s the way God’s grace makes us feel.

A couple of weeks ago, I was speaking at a Calvary Chapel in San Clemente enjoying my spiritual gift and the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, and couldn’t help but think in the middle of my talk, while watching the look of recognition forming on people’s faces, “I can’t believe I’m getting away with this.”

Who knows; this feeling may follow us all the way into heaven. It may take us a little while to get over the shock. I imagine we’ll look around at all the glorious beings surrounding us still wondering, “I can’t believe I’m getting away with this.”

I love God; I recognize His love for me; I’ve been seized by the power of His affection; I’m a victim of this affection; so I surrender. Dan Russell

To access Dan’s music, go to DanRussellMusic.com