Thursday, April 9, 2009

Experience Grace

As Easter fast approaches, I am studying what it means to actually experience grace.  God’s grace is something that people around the church talk about quite a bit.  But I wonder how many of us actually experience God’s grace in our lives beyond an intellectual level?

God’s grace means that God has chosen to love us despite of us not because of us.  When we think of that kind of love it is really beyond human understanding.  We can’t love like that on our own.  God’s grace is a place where we can find security and comfort.  But often times we end up thinking we need to find our peace, contentment, and security elsewhere.  God is clear however that His grace is enough… “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Cor. 12:9, ESV)

When we think we have to be right, be strong, be confident, and be able – we end up missing out on God’s grace.  We can live as joyful and secure people because we can know for sure that despite how often we screw up, God will meet us and help us move forward.  God’s grace allows me to meet people where they are and love them.  God’s grace allows me to be me instead of attempting to be what I think people want me to be.  God’s grace allows me to die to me and live for Jesus.

This weekend I am going to be talking about how people can experience God’s grace and not simply the idea of it.  One of the ways that we can experience God’s grace is by intentionally spending time in His presence.  This week we have another 24/7 prayer event going on.  My prayer for those who are spending time in the prayer space is that they would experience God’s grace in their lives. 

As I prepare this week pray for me… that I will correctly and clearly communicate what it means to Experience Grace.