When Your Grace Finds Me

Seriously, anyone else besides me feel like they are their own worst enemy? Always looking to do better, to do more. Don't get me wrong, we are suppose to want to be better every day. But there is a difference between striving to be better and beating yourself up because you aren't there yet.

And in walks grace; the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God!

I am realizing here in this "No Fear (New) Year" ( you can read more about what started that here and here) that I live a great majority of my days in fear. Fear of something tragic happening to someone I love. Fear of some major disaster. But more than that, mostly fear of myself. Fear I am not good enough, fear I'm not doing enough, fear I'll say the wrong thing, fear of just plain messing up.

"For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace." Romans 6:14

Living life in fear is not only a complete drag but it's living a life of little faith. Sure I say I trust God to be Lord of my life. I've just apparently decided I get to decide how much of this life I actually participate in. I stop myself short of actually doing, not just hard things, but a lot of things. Things I might actually enjoy if it weren't for fear of messing up or being wrong (or looking goofy, or not looking graceful, or not making sense... or a host of other reasons).

"The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life." 1 Timothy 1: 14-16

And then there are days I find myself so stuck on things I fear I should be doing that I completely lose sight of the things I am already doing or really are supposed to be doing. You know you do it too sometimes, you see so and so over there doing something awesome that Jesus has called them to do and you wonder if you are supposed to be doing it as well. Or maybe you just see how much hurt there is around you and long to fix it all. But the reality is we all have our very own purpose and it will look like no one else's purpose, it's all yours.

"Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." John 1:16-17

I think if we would stop unnecessarily worrying about doing more and just lovingly do the tasks God calls us to, then a lot more would actually get done. I challenge myself and you to live right in the middle of God's grace, really live. Throw away the fear and judgement we put on ourselves and live fully for Jesus Christ. Long for growth, long for more people to fall in love with Jesus, dream about ways to reach them. But be satisfied with the work the Lord has given you personally. The task you are given is the task that needs done and it is of no less importance than anyone else's task. You may not see the results of the seeds you sow, but you can be certain the harvest will be plentiful! Keep your eyes on Jesus. Let grace find you.

I must:
Remember God loves me even when I don't get things just right.
Remember God sent His son Jesus to pay the price for every sin I have ever committed.
(And yours too should you choose to let Him be your Savior)
Remember it's not a free pass to ignore God's voice and instructions.
Remember when grace finds you it frees you.
Remember fear is no longer welcome here.

"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God." Romans 5:1-2