The Simplicity of Grace
Too many times, we over-exert ourselves trying to achieve a specific goal. We make a story longer to make a point, over-strategize the most straightforward game plan, and overbook our days to make every second matter.
The truth is that it is all more simple than that.
I was three days into my mission trip in Tuxtla Gutierrez, Mexico, when the team and I had a throwdown with one of the worst stomach viruses I've ever had. It kept most of us up all night and left us feeling weak and debilitated the following day. Still, there was a need to be met in the communities. We gathered all our strength and continued our mission. By the end of the trip, I was amazed at all that was accomplished. I stood alone in my room, about ready to start packing my bag, and became overwhelmed with one thought: I just had one of the truest encounters with grace.
I realized that grace was more present than I had acknowledged on this trip. It emanated through our team. It was present in our weakness. It was present in our initial yes. There was not a moment when it wasn't present.
Grace is simple, and when you look it up, it is defined as simple elegance. When we say yes to Jesus, look like him, walk like him, and want to reflect him - grace is prominent. Grace covers where Christ-like love is present. That is what I saw that week. In surrendering my abilities, understanding, agenda, and comfort, grace stepped in and covered us all.
The beauty of grace is simple. It is all so simple, yet our human agendas mess up simplicity with the complexity of confusion and striving. We forget the simple truth of the Gospel. And because we forget, we live life in a very exhausting way.
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. - 2 Corinthians 12:9
When do we ever boast in our infirmities or weaknesses? I know that we boast of them, but in today's society, we rarely boast gladly in the midst of them. We do everything we can not to have them or show them. We do everything in our power. We do everything in OUR power.
Can I present a different perspective today?
What if we restrict the simplicity we could access by doing everything in our power?
There is grace in surrender and in our agreement to show Christ.
Grace is simple. Loving like Jesus is simple. All that is required is that we agree with what the Lord is doing on earth below. What isn't perceived as simple is that last part, agreeing with and surrendering to what He wants to do - that's where our striving and stubbornness come in. We strive because we don't believe in his promises. We are stubborn to see what we want and not what He wants. We strive to prove ourselves to society and are adamant about believing that life can be simple. Now, don't get confused. Simplicity doesn't mean easy. What it does mean - is that it can be more natural. Do you notice that it feels more natural when we aren't striving or trying to do things out of our giftings or outside of who we are? That is because we are living in our intended purpose and design. We agree with what God intended and wants. We are covered in grace when we walk in obedience and agreement. One more thing to note is that agreement does not equate to understanding. You may not understand what God is doing or going to do, but you can still agree - sound familiar? It sounds a lot like faith.
For we live by faith, not by sight. - 2 Corithians 5:7
Agreeing is having faith. Will you agree and believe in what God wants to do on earth below and in your life regardless of your understanding? I don't want to live another day striving and overcomplicating life. I don't want to live a day where I continuously make the conscious decision to make life more complicated for myself simply because I don't want to agree or believe.
Can I challenge you this month? Can I invite you to let grace flood your life? Will you find grace in your surrender this month? Will you find grace amid your weaknesses?
Prayer: Lord, thank you for today. Thank you for extending your grace unto me. I make room for you to do what you want and for your grace to flood my life. I surrender my understanding and my strive in exchange for your grace. I lean into all you promised and orchestrated. I trust your ways are higher than mine. I choose to come to agreement with you and your plans for my life. Please show me how to walk in agreement daily. In your precious name, AMEN.
