“I struggle with it,” she said, looking me in the eyes. She was struggling with judgment, but also with grace.
I’ve wrestled with judgment and grace. Have you?
Judging others when they broke rules you thought you had to live by to be accepted.
Wresting with grace because you didn’t really know what it was.
I did. Then, I learned.
I learned we box people in to make ourselves and others feel comfortable.
I learned we box God in when we don’t understand Him or His grace.
I’ve put boxes around myself because of what I thought being a Christian looked like.
I’ve put God in a box because I listened to others more than I thirsted for Him.
Then, I fell.
I fell into places I thought I’d never be. I wrestled with things I never thought I’d wrestle with. I saw gray places that used to be black and white.
When I fell, things around me looked different. Only God remained the same.
As He sifted, shook me, and sifted some more, I realized I needed to know Him more because the things I thought I knew about life were no longer the same.
As I ran towards Him, He ran towards me. And we met in grace.
Grace showed me I knew nothing except Him and His undeserved kindness.
Grace showed me I was that person - the exact one I judged.
Grace showed me there was nothing good in me, yet He still deemed me valuable and lovable.
Grace showed me God’s power in ugly places.
Grace showed me man’s ways are no comparison to the great riches of a forgiving, grace-filled Creator.
Grace showed me being right is no comparison for the peace of God.
Grace showed me I can be the worst sinner, and so can you.
Grace showed me God loves the greatest sinner, both me and you.
Grace showed me unwritten rules are damaging, but God’s precepts are perfect.
Grace showed me I am capable of great damage when bitterness and anger take root.
Grace showed me freedom comes from releasing what is God’s to take care of.
Grace showed me what redemption looks like, and it’s better than simply being a good person.
Grace showed me God pursues us when we’re walking away from Him.
Grace showed me God meets us where we are and will walk with us where He wants us to be.
Grace showed me God’s character is bigger than the boxes we put Him in.
Grace showed me I don’t have to know all the answers.
Grace showed me the greatest riches on earth or the greatest approval rating of all time is nothing compared to the riches found in experiencing God’s grace, love, and mercy.
Since I’ve met grace and have ceased from wrestling, I know God’s peace that passes all understanding and guards my heart and mind in Christ Jesus (Phil 4:6).
My prayer for you today is that God will show you His grace in the areas you are wrestling and struggling in, that He will give you rest.
May His grace and Word abound in your spirit today, tomorrow, and the next day, until you, too, know nothing else but His grace.
As you’ve received God’s undeserved kindness, share it with others!
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