One would think grace would be something to be received and understood at the onset of Christianity. If only it were a class you took at the beginning of your enrollment on the path of truth. I would have surely signed up, checked off my checklist and aimed for the A that decorated my academic career (prior to college that is). But there was no class and after 15 years on this journey, I’m led to believe, grace is ever unfolding.
As a recovering perfectionist (recovering because I am at least aware which is the first step to truly recovering) I have spent most of my journey trying and doing and accomplishing. If I don’t do it who will? But what I’m learning is that God will.
God still will. Somehow, someway, even when I fall short and miss the mark and send the text when I shouldn’t, His promises still stand.
He still stands.
I went running this summer and I paced myself up a steep hill. It was hot that day. Too hot for a run but I was determined. Funny thing was that when I got to the hill the sun was no longer my enemy and shade became my friend. Shade kissed me with each step forward and offered a relief to my burning skin as my thigh muscles flexed and thrived. It was in that moment that I had a picture of grace. Grace does not remove the obstacle you are called to overcome, instead it offers the ability to overcome it. It travels with you during the hard parts of life and manifests in a breeze or a cool shade on a hot summer day.
A friend sent me a message from Graham Cooke and I think he had a great revelation on grace. “Grace reminds you of who you are”, he said. That is the training I have received and continue to receive: identity.
Who am I?
Who are you?
Often our behavior reflects our perception of identity. I asked God recently, “Why does this (insert your this) have to be a big deal?” I have asked this question numerous times but this was the first time I had received an answer. “Because you are a big deal”, He said.
We are a big deal. Whether we want to be or not. We are because we are made in His image and He is a pretty big deal.
SHALOM
I love this reflection. The last paragraph is my favorite!
Thx friend!☺️
Thanks for this word this a.m. in Toledo, OH. Yes, God has the answers, He just want us to talk to Him and Listen to Him and as we do our daily tasks, He is with us, we are never alone.