But then God . . . don't you love those words . . . "but then God"? Anyway, but then God showed me that He has two words for me this year. Now please bear with me. I'm not saying an audible voice spoke out loud to me and said, "These shall be thy two words for 2013." Not even close. It's more like an impression on my heart, and they're two words that never really would've occurred to me otherwise.
The first word is RELAX. I know that sounds like a major cop-out. Sorry hon, I can't do the dishes or clean the house or wash the clothes. God told me to relax. But if you live with me (that's exactly two people, two dogs, and one cat) then you know that I'm not good at relaxing. Not. At. All. The concept of sitting still and not being in motion is incredibly difficult for me to comprehend. My motto is "I'll relax when it's all done". News flash!!! It's never all done. There will always be something else to do. It's not an excuse to be lazy. It's instead learning that stillness and peace and not doing are good for both body and mind. So I'm learning (slowly and painfully and often unsuccessfully) to strike a balance.
The second word is GRACE. I always thought I understood grace. I didn't. I don't. I'm getting closer, but I don't think any of us really understand the whole of what God's grace means to us. And honestly, we probably aren't capable of fully grasping it this side of Heaven. I've been saved since I was a little girl, and I've always associated grace with sin or bad behavior. As in God's grace saves us from our sin and the things we do wrong. And it does. It most certainly and unequivocally does. But there's this problem we have in the church. Especially, with those of us who've lived relatively clean lives. We (and just know that when I say "we" I mean "I") think we're good. We don't say it, but we think it. And somehow we think we're doing God a favor by being a Christian. We haven't committed any "major" sins. We're clean. We're not good. Prideful much? Please tell me I'm not alone here? If I am, well, please don't think any less of me. Or do. I don't care at this point. You see, God is showing me that yes, His grace absolutely saves us from our sin. But it's not just acts of sin from which He's saving us. His grace is what enables us to know Him. His grace is what brings us to life. His grace is what redeems us from ourselves . . . not just our acts of sin or bad behavior, but who we are. Because y'all, like it or not, we're not good. We're not clean. I'm not good. I'm not clean. And no amount of not being bad or doing good works is going to save me from the deadness that is in me without Christ and the grace that has been extended to me through His death and resurrection.
I'm not good, but the good news is Jesus Christ is. And when He saved me, He redeemed me. He took up residence in me, and thank goodness, thanks to His grace, my lack of goodness will not be held against me.
Galatians 2:20
20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
2 Timothy 1:9-10
9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, 10 but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel
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