This picture (which I took) is from a real home, which is built on top of a garbage dump. The people living there, are the most poor I have ever seen. They got a whole lotta nothin’.
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Over the weekend, I worshipped as I lifted my voice to the Lord, singing Your Grace is Enough. Then I wondered, is God’s grace really enough for me? I have soooo much of all kinds of stuff. What if God stripped everything away? Would His grace still be enough for me?
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“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.”
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14 comments:
Oh, we sing this song too, at church. Love it! :)
God has not taken away our means/livelihood/home, etc (at least not at this time), but there have been a couple of other trials he's had me endure within the last several years. Situations that, in the years prior to them, I would have emphatically said I WOULD NOT or COULD NOT do. But....God's grace was indeed sufficient. He did carry me through. He did equip and provide all that was needed to see them through till the end. And the testimony that comes from them - well it's amazing! And what a faith booster!!!
The picture is hard to look at--especially sitting in my kitchen, where I was just thinking, "boy, it would sure be nice to knock down that wall and open things up in here..." Kind of puts it in perspective.
And I'd like to say that God's grace is sufficient and would be sufficient. I know it is, but how often do I really trust that it is? And if I can't trust God now, today, surrounded by so much blessing, how can I say I would trust Him if it were all taken away?
Hard questions. Thanks for asking them.
Your post really hits home with me. We spent six weeks in Africa a couple years ago, and one of the resounding lessons I learned was the sufficiency of Christ. In some ways, I think that I don't know how to allow God's grace to be sufficient because, in a sense, I don't have to. I have things and people and money and myself (etc) to depend upon. The people we encountered in Africa many times had none of those things - and yet they were more content, peaceful and dependent on God than most people I know here.
Boy, you've really got me thinking, and I want to beat the double verification clock (although, really it is not that inconvenient). Maybe I'll write a post about this on my blog tomorrow.
It would be enough, but we must remember grace does not equal comfort or fun or the lifestyle we want or are used to...a prime reason to be greatful for the abundant grace we have been given to live at all and to live in America or wherver we are that we can talk to one another and encourage one another over the Internet...
Blessings to all...
I want to beat the double verification clock
Ah, so THAT'S why I have to reverify all the time, hmmmm...
I like to hope that I would not be like the rich young ruler who wanted grace AND his riches. Some time ago I heard someone speak on the topic of "grace AND..." about how we think we can do it if we have God's grace plus something else (different for us all).
I also see something else:how much those of us who have much are being choked by the demands of our "things". It overwhelms me at times that I spend so much time moving my things around, cleaning them, storing them and so on. I guess that's a whole different topic.
As someone who is "rich" according to the world's standards God's grace should be that much more overwhelming - that His grace is sufficient to get this camel through the eye of a needle!
Amusing Mom... in fact, I was thinking that for some of us it would be an act of grace to free us from all our stuff. Of course, we don't see it that way. We are used to filling up our days cleaning, sorting, and moving our stuff around, as you say.
I am not suggesting I'd want to lose everything, but I must also say that these days I am quite happy out in my little "woods," where God has supplied all my needs for beauty and solace, and unexpected joy.
Lord, your grace is, by definition more than we deserve, and indeed sufficient. Thank you that we can have such an anchor, and help us to give up the temptation of longing for “grace AND…” Grace and more income, grace and a different kind of livelihood, grace and more discretionary time to do the things we want, grace and freedom from pain or some “thorn in the flesh.”
Thank you, Sovereign Lord that we do not need grace AND… when it comes to eternal life, but that your Son paid it ALL, and we are happy to strive towards holy living and good works, but not because of trying to earn your favor, but out of appreciation and love for You, flowing from the desire of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Lord, thank you for letting us know your grace.
Two things:
AMM: "God's grace should be that much more overwhelming - that His grace is sufficient to get this camel through the eye of a needle!" I had never really thought of that before, good point.
And folks: It is quite unrepresentative of me (truly), and yet, a little amusing that my host site "taps on its watch," pressuring you to speed up your comments. I would never do that in person. Sometimes you wish you could, though... You know you have had (live) conversations where the other person kept talking and you wish you could participate fairly in the conversation. Funny. So, if I turn off comment verification, how bad am I going to get spammed?
Do not get spammed on our account. Leave it on. We will learn patience. Coming to your blog will be a form of spiritual discipline. :)
No, don't turn it off - it's more funny to me now. Take it as a compliment - your site provokes me to think so much that it takes me a while to compose my comment. :) Not to mention, I often tend to write too many words to express my point anyway - so it challenges me to be more succinct as well.
Good thought, Craver. Scripture says if we have the basic necessities, we're to be content with that. Whatever we do have we can enjoy, but do so as those who are not living for those things. Like we can take it or leave it, kind of attitude. And in the taking have genuine fun or blessing. But that not being where our heart is.
I guess I kind of see it like that. Thought provoking. Thanks.
Shoot - I just thought everyone thought so slowly that they had to type things out in a Word document first - and now to learn I am the only one.....
Okay, and here's me: with the word verification I just assumed I was always typing in the wrong letters. Never even questioned it. Yeah, there is not enough coffee on the planet to keep me in line...
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