I was chatting with a friend the other day about Grace. As we talked, I was prompted to think about my own experiences of receiving this wonderful gift. I wrote the following afterwards.Grace is with us all the time, yet grace visits us, deep inside, when we are battle weary, tired out, almost asleep. Grace is always there but grace especially awakens our inner man to it's beautiful truth when we are struggling deep inside life's mysteries and life's chaos. Grace is a friend, like a beacon in the night for the weary pilgrim. It overwhelms the darkness and humbles us. We do not deserve such love, such acceptance, such forgiveness. 'Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to the cross I cling'.
Grace enlightens our path back to the cross. For grace called us to that place to begin with and opened our eyes to such love. Grace found us not guilty even though we were, in every possible way. Grace revealed Jesus and took us from darkness to light. It is grace that shows us our true home once again, deep inside the cross of Christ. No more striving, no more trying harder. We are undone and have nothing to give except our hearts, empty of passion, empty of works, empty of former glories. We offer ourselves with nothing to give and nothing to hide. We look into his eyes and understand again what drove him to the cross for us. We see love. A love of a bridegroom, desiring his spotless bride. That is grace, to love us enough to die to rescue us.
In our wilderness and wastelands, when we have nothing left to give, we meet grace. Grace is our friend and grace is our life line. Grace whispers to us that it will be alright. Grace is gentle. Grace is knowing that despite how we feel, God is with us, carrying us, allowing us to just be. God never changes and nor does his love. Grace is knowing that we are loved by God even when we know we don't deserve it and grace is that outpouring of love when we least expect it. Grace is undeserved and unfathomable. That is grace, so very kind.
Grace is a gift and to understand grace is a privilege yet I am unsure if any saint will ever really understand its glorious power, its glorious freedom and its glorious strength. Grace is something we continually need and yet we will only really understand grace when we stand before our King and are welcomed into his presence. I think we will then truely understand grace.
'Through many dangers toils and snares I have already come, twas grace that brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.' John Newton, Amazing Grace
Amen
