Walking in Grace, Balance Beam Style
This past summer was the first time my daughters were old enough to appreciate the Olympics. They watched the swimming, the diving, the hurdles, and the sprints, but there was one sport in particular that caught their attention. Gymnastics. Doesn’t every little girl wish she could make her body move is such graceful ways around parallel bars or on a balance beam?
But not all of us are so coordinated (as I could well demonstrate). I can’t even balance myself when I’m standing up to sing in church, much less try to do a complicated flip on a bar several feet up in the air. That’s much too dangerous for someone like me. The bruises on my thighs attest to my clumsy nature; bumping into a table here or a chair there, I’m lucky I stay upright some days.
I feel that way spiritually too at times. I start out the new year careening towards perfectionism trying once again to master sin in my life through discipline and endurance but pretty soon I topple over because I’m off balance. Then, I lackadaisically lope along living in “grace” because rules and regulations don’t tame sin and I tumble further away from God’s best for me. I appreciate the way Eugene Peterson says it in the Message, Galatians 5:
16-18My counsel is this: Live freely, animated and motivated by God’s Spirit. Then you won’t feed the compulsions of selfishness. For there is a root of sinful self-interest in us that is at odds with a free spirit, just as the free spirit is incompatible with selfishness. These two ways of life are antithetical, so that you cannot live at times one way and at times another way according to how you feel on any given day. Why don’t you choose to be led by the Spirit and so escape the erratic compulsions of a law-dominated existence?
Over ten years ago I asked a professor what it meant practically to walk in grace because the whole idea seemed so esoteric. I wanted to know the 10 steps I needed to take in order to follow God’s way and live by grace. I remember thinking that his answer wasn’t very satisfying. He said you just take the first step by faith and then allow the Spirit to be living through you as you rely on Him.
I’ve finally figured out that just sitting back and expecting God to do the work in me isn’t “Walking by Grace.” And making up a detailed plan for my sanctification including exercises in discipline isn’t “Walking by Grace” either.
In order to keep my balance on this beam of grace, I put one foot in front of the other as directed from above. In other words, I obey Him, not my own preconceived notions of what He wants from me.
I move slowly, but carefully, listening for direction and keeping my eyes straight ahead on the goal, which is Christ. From time to time, I may need reminding from my Savior that I’ve run ahead of Him endangering my balance or that I’ve come to a standstill which also can cause a topple from the balance beam of grace.
For, since I was saved by grace alone (Ephesians 2:8-9), by my humble acceptance in faith, I also walk by grace alone, in humble faith that God will empower each step.
Heather, I really love this picture of a gymnastic follower in Christ. Yes, one foot in front of the other is where life is at when you’re in love with the Lord. Thank you.
Heather,
A great post today. I am reminded when someone says to me “take a step of faith” – when you think about this – it means you have to take a STEP!. Sometimes we need to take one step at a time….blessings, Laurie
Thanks for sharing!
This is great; walking in grace the balance beam style! It reminds me of one of the Indiana Jones’ movies. He has to get across a wide chasm and is trying to figure out how. He realizes he must take the first step and then the way across becomes clear. That’s how I think about walking by faith. One step at a time in obedience.
This is so wonderful my friend.