Amazing Grace
Picture a man or woman of God; what comes to mind? A person with a clean slate, free of mistakes? Or a person simply recognizing their need for guidance and seeking God for it?
Take a step back and look at most of the people in the Bible. So many of them tripped, grumbled, and cried out to God as they found courage on their path. Sometimes we forget the men and women of The Bible were human. People with emotions, difficult circumstances, and personal desires. Abraham questioned God on His timing and cried out to Him as doubt overwhelmed him. Joseph, Abraham’s great grandson, fought fear and panic as his brothers coldly abused him, yet trusted God’s bigger plan as he forgave those brothers and gave the amazing words, “But God.”
The list goes on of men and women endeavoring life’s obstacles and learning how to seek God in all of it. That’s what makes their story stand out to us-when we realize our commonality, the need for guidance from God in all we do.
Life’s encounters remain the same. Schedules overwhelm us, people frustrate us, and illness overtakes us, but God still intercedes for us.
God doesn’t want perfection, He wants your burdens.
God doesn’t want allegiance, He wants commitment rooted in love.
He brought His Son to earth to become a resting place for our weary hearts in this world, the peace to our chaos and the light in the unknown.
Jesus spoke these words, “Come to me all who are weary and burdened….learn from me.” What a beautiful image that gives...someone who willingly carries your heartache and concerns.
Don’t try to live out this life on your own. The Bible is filled with men and women with every struggle imaginable. All of them recorded to offer relatability and remind us of our need for God’s grace. The gift of grace etched across Jesus’ outstretched arms on the cross as He carried our sin.
Allow your mind to picture Jesus with his arms stretched far and wide. As we approach this Friday take time to let your heart go there. Consider the meaning of Good Friday. Reflect on the cross and the King of Kings hanging upon it. May we be men and women recognizing our need for a Savior and the gift of grace that was freely given to us out of love.
