Grace is Messy…
Grace. I’ve been dwelling on and in, and turning over and over this precious gift/responsibility for some time.
I’ve noticed is it is often extended to me, and I often withhold it. Truth, hard truth. I’ve learned that God gives it freely, but it is only mine when I accept it. Comfort, unlike any other. I’ve grown in it when I choose to open-hand-give-it and leave my judgment/condemnation behind. There I find confirmation, affirmation, God blessing.
Yet it is a messy thing. When wronged I so want to point it out, shout it out. When I wrong another I so want to justify it, give my reasons. When facing my failure I want someone to make it all better. When facing the consequences of someone else’s failure, I want to take control. But the gentle voice reminds: “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” (2Corinthians 12:9b NIV)
Ahh, weakness. Our weakness forgets that life is a mess of laughter and let-downs, of dreams and dreads, of freedom and fear. Yes, I am weak in accepting those collisions. When laughter turns to see hurt. When dreams of goodness fall on piles unworthiness. When freedom gives way to bondage of fear. It is in those times I need His power. And there it is again, g-r-a-c-e. “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” (2Corinthians 12:9c NIV)
When Christ’s power rests on us, grace flows more freely. For we are freed from our small strength and sustained by the workings of His mighty hand. As His grace flows through our veins the Holy Spirit helps us forgive ourselves. As we move beyond our faults, we see those of others more tenderly.
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” (2Corinthians 4:7 NIV) The treasure of Jesus, and His grace, resides in our frailty. So our messy grace-giving is made beautiful in His powerful hands. The more we give away, the more we have…
parisrenae 
Love this ! I hope you are compiling a book of these devotions.
Becky Jester
Children’s Ministry Coordinator
Covenant Fellowship Baptist Church
home: 772-223-0725
cell: 772-285-7756
bjjester@hotmail.com
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You are so sweet, maybe a helper to compile it all would get me motivated 🙂 Hoping your day is grace-full! xo
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Beautiful!
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Elaine, thank much for your encouraging word today 🙂 May grace abound to you and from you this week…
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“As His grace flows through our veins the Holy Spirit helps us forgive ourselves. As we move beyond our faults, we see those of others more tenderly.” Amen!
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Shared on Pinterest
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Kelly, yes, seeing others tenderly, the way He sees us – a lot more of that would change our world. May you be grace-filled and overflow to thirsty hearts…
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There’s no denying the messiness or counter-intuitiveNess of grace, but oh, it’s sweetness. Is there anything better! Blessings and prayers for a day flowing with grace.
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Nothing sweeter I know of. Much grace to you, friend, and as it flows through you, may you be a grace-source to all you encounter.
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Your post just complemented my devotion this morning…just like vanilla ice cream on top of apple pie (makes the pie/devotion so much sweeter). Thank you for efforts!
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Friend, you are so grace-full 🙂 May this week help you to see Him working through you and your beautiful smile.
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Paris, what a unique perspective on grace. Interesting how you’ve connected the grace with the weakness and the messiness. From our perspective, it is all intertwined, isn’t it. “When Christ’s power rests on us, grace flows more freely.” So true, friend. Only with His power are we able to live a graceful life. How I pray for the power to live a graceful life. More of Him, less of me. — Thanks for sharing these words of truth and hope with #ChasingCommunity today, friend. ((hug))
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