....always clings to the hand that gives the rose." ~Chinese Proverb
A challenge presented itself yesterday...you know, most times challenges between people are more about trying to understand where the other person is coming from than anything. Once our toes are well situated in their shoes and we take a couple steps, most of their actions and perceptions of life will make some sense to us...but, how willing are we to slip on their shoes?
Over my life thus far, I have been pretty stingy with grace.... I felt as if I could determine when grace was warranted for others depending on my feelings. Whereas I do believe we need to be discerning of our circumstances and how God would have us handle them through the wisdom and instruction in His Word, if we withhold grace and forgiveness from others we may be hindering a work God would like to have take place in their lives (and, very likely, in our own). God's grace changes people when they connect the dots and see how undeserving they are.....we never know when that moment of realization will be for a person. When will God's unconditional love break through to them? How many times did we experience it before we "GOT IT!"? I want to position myself for the most effectiveness as I point toward God and that means to be generous with forgiveness and grace.
People will never be perfect....they won't DESERVE your love all the time.
But, they need it.
God's grace extended to me, many times through other people, allows me to move forward in my faith by removing my obstacles, making my crooked pathways straight, and even dotting the landscape with beauty as I learn the connection between God's grace and my ability to love others.
There is an account in Luke of a woman who poured out her expensive perfume on Jesus' feet. After explaining that her many sins were forgiven and so she LOVED MUCH...there is a short part of the verse...almost like a little side note at the end...(ever realized you should not ignore these?)
...But whoever has been forgiven little loves little... Luke 7:47
I LOVE WHEN TRUTH IS LEFT FOR US TO FIND LIKE THIS!
None of us has been forgiven LITTLE!
We should be so generous with what has been generously given to us.
God's grace extended to me, many times through other people, allows me to move forward in my faith by removing my obstacles, making my crooked pathways straight, and even dotting the landscape with beauty as I learn the connection between God's grace and my ability to love others.
There is an account in Luke of a woman who poured out her expensive perfume on Jesus' feet. After explaining that her many sins were forgiven and so she LOVED MUCH...there is a short part of the verse...almost like a little side note at the end...(ever realized you should not ignore these?)
...But whoever has been forgiven little loves little... Luke 7:47
I LOVE WHEN TRUTH IS LEFT FOR US TO FIND LIKE THIS!
None of us has been forgiven LITTLE!
We should be so generous with what has been generously given to us.
No comments:
Post a Comment