Every year I choose a word to study and consider. A couple of years ago that word was grace and for several reasons, I’ve returned to it. For the last seven months….GRACE has been THE WORD I dwell on EVERY…SINGLE…DAY.
Have you ever worked on something for awhile only to realize…”umm, this just isn’t working”? A realization it is time to move on. Last year, I worked with a friend on a project that really pushed me to grow. It was good to push outside of my comfortable box but at the same time something was missing. I was trying to be comfortable in a role that didn’t fit. Square pegs do not fit into round holes. A decision needed to be made.
While struggling with that decision, I was also struggling with my sweet husbands health issues. Major surgeries, major decisions…major life. I also kept going back to that word…Grace.
GRACE…the favor of God.
God gave grace in the form of a friend who pushed me to grow.
God gave grace in the form of doctors blessing us with their knowledge and skill.
God gave grace in the form of inner peace with all the decisions that needed to be made…
medically, personally, professionally.
God gave grace.
Grace…God’s gift to us in whatever situation we find ourselves in.
Ruth and Naomi often come to mind when I think about grace. Ruth chapter one tells the story of a heartbroken woman who has lost not only her husband, but also her two sons. In spite of this, Naomi encourages her daughter in laws to leave her, to go back to their home…to their families. Orpah makes that decision. She realized home with her family was her comfortable place. She made a choice that fit her and her needs. Naomi blessed that choice. There is no condemnation of her in Gods’ word. It was simply a choice. God’s grace.
Ruth made a different choice. A choice to stay with her mother in law. A choice that had no clear path to happiness. A choice that went against all conventional wisdom. A choice that will make her totally dependent on God’s grace. In Chapter 2, we read about Ruth and her willingness to do whatever it takes to take care of her mother in law and herself. She works with the laborers in the field and is noticed. Gods grace.
Chapters 3-4…Ruth is “redeemed”. Boaz noticed her goodness and is willing to not only protect her reputation but accept the responsibility of her kinsmen redeemer. The legacy of her choice – his choice, is a genealogy of Kings. God’s grace.
We serve a great God. We serve a God who has given us very specific guidelines on how to follow Him. Yet, in His infinite wisdom, allows us to make a lot of life choices. He then guides us, guards us, shelters us, loves us and forgives us as we meander through this life.
When life confronts us with choices…hard choices…when there is no right or wrong answer, God has given us guidelines to make the best choice possible.
- Pray about it…Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
- Go to His word for counsel…Proverbs 2:1-5 “My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.”
- Determine your motive…Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
- Consider the consequences…Titus 2:7 “Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works…”
THEN…
Trust Him...Psalm 37:5 “Commit your way to the Lord; TRUST in Him, and he will act.”
God gave grace then …God gives grace now
2 Peter 1:2 “Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.”
Listen to His voice,
Lee Ann
