Grace.
It’s a word I throw around in casual chats with other churchy type people, in a manner that indicates I’ve checked the “I totally get it” box on my steps to spiritual growth scorecard long ago. And yet, within minutes of the “I know it all” air of that casual chat, I’m thinking and acting as if I have no clue about grace at all.
A friend sent me a ‘grace quiz’ the other day, and I failed miserably. I won’t drag you through the whole thing, but here’s a few of the toughest reminders for me.
• If you feel guilty all the time… you do not know grace.
• If you’re counting up points, good or bad, for yourself or someone else… you do not know grace.
• If you’re trying all the time and not quite making it… you do not know grace.
• If you think someone should pay for what they’ve done to you… you do not know grace.
• If you’re wishing you had someone else’s life… you do not know grace.
Grace is one-way love, favor, and forgiveness showered on each of us individually, for no apparent reason other than God desires to do it. We contribute nothing. Grace overwhelms and astounds us. It puts an end to all judging and comparing and pride. It puts us all on the same level, and then lifts us up together.
May the Grace of the Lord be your joy and freedom and peace today,
Matt
(a gracious thank you to John Fischer who allowed me to reprint portions of his writing here… you can follow him at www.catchjohnfischer.wordpress.com)
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