What a title! I could write a book on why I need grace! But today I want to focus on two things I discovered this morning as I was reading Mark 8.
1. Sometimes in life I am like the disciples.
I may be earnestly trying to follow Jesus, but doubt and disbelief still creep in. The disciples hung out with Jesus and saw Him do one incredible thing after another. Yet every time they were shocked. They saw him feed five thousand, and when it came time for him to feed four thousand, they asked him how it would be possible to feed so many in such a remote location. And then even later, they worried that they only had one loaf of bread for the 12 of them. How could they possibly worry and wonder if he would provide enough food for them when they had already seen him feed two groups of thousands with just a few loaves of bread each time? They were flawed humans, just like me. And like the disciples, I often worry and wonder whether certain things will work out. I wonder how we'll pay the bills or if I'll get a job. And the list can go on and on. Sometimes I just don't believe, even though I've witnessed all the time the wonderful blessings and provisions that God provides.
2. Sometimes in life I'm like the Pharisees.
I think I'm doing everything right. I try my best to follow the rules and put a check mark by each religious activity I feel I should be doing. I go to church, I volunteer, I tithe, I'm in a small group, I read the Bible... and sometimes I fool myself into thinking that's enough. I assume that God will bless me, not because He is loving and good but because I somehow deserve it. I accidentally slip into self-righteousness, sometimes without even realizing it. In these times I need to be humbled and I need to remember that I rely on God for
everything. And that all good things come from Him. Because if I forget that, I'm less likely to spend time with Him and share my heart with Him.
Sometimes I lack faith and sometimes I put my faith in works rather than grace. Because I have tendency to fall into these things, and I mean
all the time, I desperately need grace! And I'm constantly amazed that even after I doubt God and then turn around and essentially ignore him for my own attempts at goodness, He still loves me, forgives me, blesses me, and gives me unending grace. And for that I am so thankful.
What about you? Do you struggle with either of these things, like me? Why do you need grace?
Happy Monday, everyone!
~Christy~
