So What IS So Amazing About Grace?

If you have been following my blog posts, you can see that I am not perfect. In fact, you may sense a theme through all of them by now. Reading back through them, I'm starting to catch it myself. It's simple, really. I am nothing without His grace. Today, I am thinking about...no, I am reveling in...this Grace.

Most of us know about God's grace. We hear about it, we logically understand it, and some of us could even break it down in a great theological discourse. But it's funny how quickly the theology blurs when we screw up and the crap hits the fan. Every instinct in us wants to fix our own mistake as quickly as possible. Put the band-aid on it, brush it under the rug, make excuses and then go along like everything is fine.

For years of my life I have been okay with myself, and for the most part, its really not bad. I am a pretty competant and capable person with a great life, a beautiful family and things are good. But then something happens and just 'okay' is all of a sudden a very scary place to be. Scary, because come to find out, our dependence in our own capability and even on God, stretched only as far as our own control and understanding. 'Okay' shows itself to be only a facade.

We become sick of breathing in and out, using every last bit of strength, and 'okay' ends in an agonizing moment when we have a choice. We can shut down, or with this strength we have left, we spew out our surrender. Surrendering, I believe with all my heart, is one of the most beautiful places to be. I'm certain that it is here, in this moment, the heavens rejoice. Because, completely aware of our own ugliness, we are shocked at the beauty of what we see before us. Loving us. Forgiving us. Even reflecting back the beauty in ourselves.

Grace. Undeserved, unearned, incomprehensible.

The Grace that stretched out His arms, heart overflowing with love for me, and died to save me. The Grace that knew I would screw up and try to fix it on my own and still choose to die for me, even for this very reason! "You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:6-8)

I have been a Christian since I was a child. I didn't understand Grace until I saw that I didn't deserve it. And I'm certain that I still only understand 'in part'. For me, it took hitting the bottom, the end of the rope, whatever you want to call it, to see this. Of course, I have never deserved it, but I was blind.

I think when we allow ourselves to be clothed, or cloaked (I imagine like a force field) in grace, only then can we move forward and move mountains, make waves, conquer giants...or, love our neighbors, how we should. Outside of His divine grace, we are powerless, helpless and the trail we leave behind is fruitless. On our own we are nothing, but covered in His love and grace, our potential is endless. To me...that's pretty amazing.

I challenge you to read 'What's So Amazing About Grace?' by Philip Yancy. It was outstanding and a life changer for me, coming from a pretty religious and legalistic background.

Wherever you're at in your journey, may the sweet sound of His Amazing Grace find you.

I will leave you with some lyrics...

Grace
She takes the blame
She covers the shame
Removes the stain
It could be her name...

What once was hurt
What once was friction
What left a mark
No longer stings
Because grace makes beauty
Out of ugly things...

-U2


And of course...

Amazing Grace
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found
Was blind, but now I see.

T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

When we've been here ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.

-John Newton
1772