rejoicing in disgrace

disgrace - loss of reputation or respect as the result of a dishonorable action

               - to bring shame or discredit on someone or something

Disgrace is literally a reversal of grace, either the Grace of God or the grace of the public.  It isn't normally something that one aspires to.  Images of leaders who have fallen into disgrace - Richard Nixon leaving the White House, Bill Hybels leaving Willow Creek Church, Rachel Dolezal leaving the University and the NAACP - are not what anyone desires to pursue.  

This is why the apostles' rejoicing in their disgrace is so striking.  As recorded in Acts 5, they had aroused the ire of the religious leaders by proclaiming Jesus as Lord and Christ.  They were thrown into jail but were set free by an angel of The Lord to resume their preaching.  They were dragged before the Sanhedrin and told to cease and desist.  They said We must obey God rather than human beings (Acts 5:29) and then preached The Word of Life to their interrogators.  After leaving this potentially humiliating encounter, they were instead rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for The Name (Acts 5:41) and continued to suffer disgrace as they proclaimed the Good News that Jesus is The Messiah.

Apparently, these early believers had a different view of grace than I do.  I might be more concerned about falling out of the good graces of people.  The Apostles were more concerned about not being separated from The Greater Grace of God (James 4:6).  Holding to that Amazing Grace, they were able to sacrifice the grace of their culture, which, like ours, is as fickle as the wind, evidenced in the crowd turning on the Messiah and, eventually, His Disciples.

So, which grace do you aspire to and hold onto?  Will it be lower-case grace or Upper-Case Grace?  Be assured that The Grace of God in Jesus Christ will never fail you, yet will surely require you to sacrifice other graces as you follow and serve the God Who is Grace personified.