What if there was a limit to God's grace, mercy and forgiveness?
Whoa. Imagine if God said "Three strikes and you're out". I realized I'd take sin a whole lot more seriously. Really. If I thought there was a limit that would keep me out of Heaven, my day would look a little different. After that confession, remorse wrapped tight around my heart and almost took my breath away as I realized that, if that is in fact true, I have subconsciously taken advantage of His endless grace. How that must grieve the heart of God! I can't say I deliberately sin knowing that God forgives me. I just haven't been as careful and Christ-focused as I could have, should have, would have been if I thought there was a limit to His mercy. Does that make sense?
That revelation has laid heavy on my heart this morning. In fact, I was already to post funny pictures from the night we celebrated #1's birthday. But, I just couldn't. It seemed like such fluff compared to my heart's cry. How can I have walked with the Lord for 14 years and not realized such a simple thing? It's like my eyes have been opened to the fact that I have focused on things that don't matter and missed so many opportunities to do the right thing. I am grateful for His forgiveness and always have been. But, I know I would live my life different, I know it, if I thought that I was coming to the end of my "grace period". And, yes, I would be obeying out of fear if this were the scenario. That doesn't make me feel any better.
I feel smaller and maybe that is how God intended it to be right now. Going into a Talent Show that has people singing my praises, God knows what I need to hear to keep me grounded in Him. I am completely okay with the humility process, it is so much better because He gives GRACE to the humble and resists the proud. But, seriously, this revelation has rocked my world. I want to be at a place where I can admit that my life would look no different if there was a limit on His grace and forgiveness. I will not take what He did for me on the cross for granted. I'm so sorry, Lord....
That revelation has laid heavy on my heart this morning. In fact, I was already to post funny pictures from the night we celebrated #1's birthday. But, I just couldn't. It seemed like such fluff compared to my heart's cry. How can I have walked with the Lord for 14 years and not realized such a simple thing? It's like my eyes have been opened to the fact that I have focused on things that don't matter and missed so many opportunities to do the right thing. I am grateful for His forgiveness and always have been. But, I know I would live my life different, I know it, if I thought that I was coming to the end of my "grace period". And, yes, I would be obeying out of fear if this were the scenario. That doesn't make me feel any better.
I feel smaller and maybe that is how God intended it to be right now. Going into a Talent Show that has people singing my praises, God knows what I need to hear to keep me grounded in Him. I am completely okay with the humility process, it is so much better because He gives GRACE to the humble and resists the proud. But, seriously, this revelation has rocked my world. I want to be at a place where I can admit that my life would look no different if there was a limit on His grace and forgiveness. I will not take what He did for me on the cross for granted. I'm so sorry, Lord....
3 comments:
This is a good one - I just finished Sheila Walsh's book, Honestly, and the topic of grace comes up a lot. A lot. It's one of those things that we don't understand well enough, then when something happens and we have to rely on it, we are faced with a broadened and deepened intimacy with it. Relying on GRACE and His limitless favor and forgiveness is humbling, for certain. Thanks for sharing this.
The Lord must be stirring us for something. Something coming soon!! Like Breakthrough!!
Ok...I am at the point of crying right now. I KNOW I'm guilty as well. I wish that I could say that I had it all under control, but the cold hard facts is...I DON'T! Thank you for reminding me of God's grace and also that I shouldn't be taking it forgranted.
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