by Robert A Wendell
“Do Not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings; for it is well for the heart to be strengthened by grace. But, grow in the knowledge of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (Meanwhile), God, himself, will restore, support, strengthen and establish you.” (Hebrews 13:9, 2 Peter 3:18, I Peter 5:10 NRSV).
Grace seems to be the one word in a Christian vocabulary that unlocks the necessity and the power of the relationship between the Almighty and humankind. Still, there are those moments when we doubt that unique connection. I may not be doing the most exciting things with my days, but in the middle of those highs and lows and downright monotonous chores, one thing remains true: I am here for a purpose – a mission. And the mission is to glorify God. God in all I do. God in all I say – and in every word I write.
Grace provides ‘the wind beneath my wings.’ Grace is the oil that makes everything run smoothly and gently. Having a graceful flow to the day or the week doesn’t just come from having a laid-back attitude. It comes from understanding that grace is God – generated and heaven – sent.
Grace is flexible. Grace trumps fear and worry with the sure notion that the Lord is at the spiritual helm of our lives. After all, each one of us is a reflection of God’s all-intelligent control. Even in pressure-packed times, it’s wise to wait on our Maker. Feeling grace helps me pursue what seems the right move for that moment.
Grace means there is nothing I can do to make God love me more. He invites me to sit at His table. Grace also helps me feel more gracious, looking outward toward others first. As we actively run toward the Divine and make room for grace, order and pace can ‘flow like a river.
Jerry Bridges, author for the Navigators Discipleship Organization wrote, “Our worst days are never so bad that we are beyond the reach of grace. And our best days are never so good that we are beyond the need of God’s grace.”