There are days when we (or moments within days) are not sure if tomorrow will be any better. Will we make it to that place in life (whether imagined, magical or real) we always hoped to arrive at? Of course, I am not suggesting that the 'real' doesn't include the 'imagined' or 'magical'. They often suffice or aide us when the 'real' within some days is seemingly unbearable.
A part of our struggle is when we only interpret the 'real' as bad or not ultimately good for us. There are bad things that happen during the 'real'. Our days will improve if we can see the bigger picture of Jesus’ plan. I call it 'prevenient grace'. The grace he gives us to survive, until we grab hold of, via our own faith, the abundant grace that is only found in trusting Jesus.
Definition: Grace is God's unmerited favor. It is the kindness from God that we don't deserve. There is nothing we have done/or not done, nor can ever do to earn this favor. A simple way to grab hold of or understood grace is: God’s Riches at Christ’s expense.
Maybe when we see the bigger picture’ "we are grabbed by grace" until we can also "grab hold of grace". A good friend recently reminded me of being grabbed by grace. Either way, we do ultimately arrive at that proverbial place we hoped for or dreamed of.
Josh Wilson (a lyricist and singer) defined grace this way: "Because we could never get back home with broken hearts...So home has come to meet us where we are." Some of us have hearts too traumatized to make it home without creating a 'reality' that helps our hearts limp toward wholeness. But, we find that Jesus was always there; helping us limp too the wide open arms of his abundant grace! He will never leave us or forsake us or let us go!
"It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone...Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love." Ephesians 2:11, and 12:4-5, (The Message)
A grace that grabs our hearts! Ron Ross
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