Laced With Grace

“…long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water.” – 2Peter 3:5 (NIV)

Living by the ocean is a dream come true. The ocean is the one part of creation that seems somewhat untouchable by mankind. I know we have polluted the waters, killed much of the wildlife that inhabits those waters and used the ocean as our own personal playground and toilet at the same time. Still, there is something about that aspect of God’s creation that reminds me that He is in control and His will cannot be thwarted.

If you doubt it, take a nine foot by two foot piece of polyurethane foam covered in layers of fiberglass, cloth and epoxy resin into the ocean and paddle out past the first few sets of breaking waves. If you get that far, lay on the fiberglass covered foam and try to paddle in as a wave begins to form, standing up just as the wave crests.  If you succeed, it’s the closest you’ll come to walking on water. If you fail, like I often do, it’s still the closest thing to seeing creation in its raw unbridled state.

It still brims with fish and the waters come ashore every day without ceasing – sometimes angrily as though they were fighting back against the damage we inflict on the water and its inhabitants. It cannot be tamed by jetties or shorelines and it cannot be constrained by manmade means. We cannot even begin to explore its depths or even its surface in some areas of the world. It is one of the few things on this earth that is beyond exploration to it’s fullest because we are incapable of withstanding all that the ocean is.

There’s something reassuring about that – about our weakness – our insufficiency – our incapacity.

There is something comforting in knowing that while we have done our best to exert our power over His creation, God has created things we can barely touch the surface of even though we can immerse ourselves in it. It is a reminder that God is sovereign. It is a reminder of the words God gave Isaiah to speak in Isaiah 40:12 (NIV):

Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand,

Or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens?

Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket,

or weighed the mountains on the scales

and the hills in a balance?

Lying on a foam board covered in fiberglass that weighs less than I do less than half a football field’s length from the beach is not something I take for granted. The reverence it commands and reflects back on our Creator is not something I think will fade either.

I am grateful man has not been able to subdue the ocean. I am humbled to be a witness to His creation – to God’s glory. I am overwhelmed by the fact that our God loves His last creation, mankind, despite what we’ve done to the world He created for us.

“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” – John 3:17 (NIV)

“For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:8-9

What is grace? It is commonly defined as God’s unmerited favor. To me it has been God’s Refuge Against Crushing Experiences.

I’ve found grace to be the thing that keeps you from going over the edge. What about when you go over the edge? Well, then it’s what keeps you from a crash landing when you do go over the edge. What about when you have a crash landing? Then, it’s the thing that enables you to get up, be mended and keep moving forward. Let me put it like this, grace is what keeps you from being crushed by the many trials and tribulations you will experience or have experienced throughout your life.

We can learn a vital lesson from Paul, the writer of the scripture referenced above. He recognized that at his weakest point, he was the strongest. For at his weakest point, the power of Christ rested upon him and that is grace – the power of Christ upon you during your crushing experiences. It seems difficult when you are in those situations to glory in His presence, but that is the only way you can find comfort in His refuge. We must learn to completely, totally and unrestrictedly trust in God to be our strength. His strength is made perfect, comes to fruition, in our weakness. I pray that God will enable, equip and encourage you today to face whatever life brings your way, not in your strength alone, but in His strength.

D’Lorah is a licensed minister at Calvary Christian Center in Ormond Beach, Florida and an instructor in the IMPACT School of Ministry. She is also is an HR professional in the education industry. She has just completed and self-published a 30 day devotional entitled “G.R.A.C.E.”. You can visit D’Lorah over at her personal blog: Joy Cometh in the Morning.

The topic of grace has been on my mind and heart lately. There are so many songs and verses about grace, and we probably come across those every day if we are paying attention.

What is grace?  Is it something you ever stop and think about?  There are numerous definitions listed in the dictionary. I asked on Facebook for friends to give the definition of grace in their own words and they were similar in describing grace as being undeserved. The words I think of when I think of grace is undeserved gift.

Grace is definitely a gift. It is because of Christ’s death that we can have life. I wonder if we will truly ever grasp the full meaning of the gift we have received from Christ. I love what this verse in 2 Timothy says about grace. We are saved not because of what we’ve done but become of HIS grace!

“He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” 2 Timothy 1:9, 10

I’d like for you to consider these questions today: What does grace look like in your own life? Is it hard for you to accept the grace gift that God wants to give you? Do you beat yourself up over mistakes or your past and push aside the grace He is offering?

Are you in the habit of giving grace to others? Sometimes I know I find myself not giving grace to the people in my life. Realizing that I’m not perfect–and accepting that those around me are not perfect either– I want to make a conscious effort to be a wife, mother, and friend who extends grace to the people around me.

I’d like to encourage you today to give thanks to God for the grace He has given to you and to be a person that gives grace to others.

Lord, today I just want to thank You that you have given grace to us. We don’t deserve the gift You’ve given. Help us to accept the grace you pour out and not take that grace for granted.

Have a day of blessings!