Reflecting On His Grace

Throughout the scriptures we see this principle emerging--remember. Remember what he's done. Why? Because it's so easy to let the wind and waves, the storms of life, press in and cause us to forget. Too often I'm so busy in the dailiness of life that I forget His provision. Remembering that His grace is sufficient infuses hope into every new trial. Remembering offers a perspective that transcends time and space. Remembering strengthens our faith, proves His word in our lives, and makes us a walking testimony of Him. Christ is the word made flesh-- we are His gospel made flesh; living, walking, breathing reminders to the world that there is redemption.

...remember that at that time you were separate from Christ... Ephesians 2:12
Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth... Ecc 12:1
Remember those earlier days after you had received the light Hebrews... 10:32
Remember the word that I said to you... John 15:20

I'm pausing to reflect on my spiritual journey here, remembering what Christ's done in my life over the past decade and before. Back then, I started college in spiritual chaos, not knowing what God had to do with my life. It's not that I hadn't heard the gospel before; I grew up going to church and I knew the language well--almost too well. The disconnect between my daily life and God grew to obvious to ignore. I knew I needed to change something. So I decided God didn't exist and lived for myself. I made idols of friendship and fitting in, dating relationships, and my performance in school. I often went clubbing on Friday night, while through the week I poured myself into my classes and studies. Our hearts are made to worship and this became my vicious cycle of self worship.

One night in my dorm room, I was filled with spiritual discomfort and angst. Confronted with this conviction, I prayed again for the first time in a long time, and asked that God would help me. Many childhood truths flooded back to me in that moment. I was rebelling against the God of the universe. I asked for forgiveness and prayed that He would change me. God began a supernatural work in me that day, showing me that it's no longer I who live but Christ who lives through me. Immediately I sensed Christ challenging my heart to give up the idols I'd created. The next day, I had an important class early. I sensed the Lord pressing my heart to trust Him and not set my alarm. It sounds simple-- silly even-- but it was a profound moment because it would shape the next fifteen years of trusting Him with my daily life. In that moment, that act of obedience, I gave up my will over my life.

Several months later, I was confronted with my need to be in a relationship. Again, after a long battle of my selfish will, I surrendered. Eventually I married a man I'd met in school, and we sought the Lord together for the direction of our family. We've trusted Him with defining moments, like our jobs, our family size, and our location. As it's written: The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for 'In him we live and move and have our being’... Acts 17:24-28.

Dear Reader, take time to remember what the Lord's done in your life. I pray the Lord will move your heart towards Him this year! If He's convicting your spirit, don't ignore or suppress it, move into the discomfort and ask for His forgiveness and grace. There's peace beyond the pain. 

Ponder this: If you remember what He's done, how does that make you feel about what He can do?

My Prayer: Lord, may you be glorified in my life in 2020. I ask that whatever I face my life would bring honor to Your name, that others might look at my life and praise You. Amen!

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