Amazing Grace

PASSAGE FOR THE DAY:
Romans 5 (click the link)


KEY VERSES:
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (Romans 5:1-5, NASB)


REFLECTIONS:
Those verses resounded in my head for months. Over and over I encountered these verses, from an interview in a magazine to a book of small devotionals in my parents’ bathroom to countless conversation where either I or the opposite party brought it up in detail.  These verses came to me as a personal encouragement, during a time that years of struggling with particular health issues had warn me down. 

In those times of wondering why and feeling surrounded by darkness and desperately crying out for security, I often looked to these verses KNOWING that I am more than my body and that I was being humbly prepared for the rest of my life. I look to these verses as a proof of God's character and that He is romancing me through struggles to lean even deeper into Him. In these verses, He is showing me that not only was His Son an amazing gift—a free, amazing gift—but that he is my only option to hope and my only option to life. And finally, a life that is not worth anything without Him.

It has taken a long time—too long of a time—for me to accept these things and, to be honest, I still struggle to think that God has my back at all times… that God sent Jesus to purchase me from sin, a sin that was committed long ago… that I was planned for and that I have been “reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation” (verses 10 and 11).

I remember when I first started reading the Bible and I wasn’t yet convinced. I thought: “Well, I better read the New Testament first. That way I'll know what I’m getting myself into.”  Little did I know what graces and beauty would be shown to me. Yes, the last six and a half years of my life have been hard and full of tribulations beyond my control. But during this time, God has repaired pieces of my heart. His mercy has gone deep into my brokenness and healed me in more ways than can be named. YES, we worship a Good God. As much as I would like to say I go through struggles in life with a smile on my face and a skip in my step, it is simply not so. I sometimes have a hard time seeing the point or the other side of things. Sometimes I don’t understand God, especially when it hurts.

I have to remind myself if He made the world and gave me lungs to breathe its air, then I’m guessing He has a better plan than mine. One thing that I have noticed about Him is He never disappoints—never, ever. Through the years of my life, I have been molded into who I am today and my heart is still being shaped into what I will become. God is NOT done with me, or you for that matter. I’m sure you can relate when I say life is hard, period. 

BUT Jesus is the air tank to a drowning man, antibiotics to a person with sepsis, the Heimlich to a choking woman. He is our relief.  It is vital that we lean into our God and receive the grace He has for us in times of struggles—believe me there are many that are offered. We must go through struggles in our lives, it proves our character. Even more so, it proves God’s character—that He will ALWAYS follow through. Jesus is God’s follow through. He is our Redeemer, our Lover who waits for us… and there is HOPE in that. Yes, we worship a Good, Good Beautiful God. 

“…but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more” (verse 20).


POINT OF ACTION:
Sometimes I get caught up in what I am not doing right. Sometimes I beat myself up about ways that I should be better. So, I encourage you to think about the ways that you have persevered, proven character and had hope. Remember the ways God showed kindness to you, times of holding you through hard times. Be hopeful. The Lord our God—the great I AM—is keeping you.


PRAYER:
Lord, I am what I am because you created me. I do not know what I will become, because you are still creating me. There are parts of me that need repairing. Please transform me into the image of what I can become.


WHO AM I?
Please be forgiving, I know nothing about nothing and somethings about somethings. I’m Erin Norris and I approve this message.