Christianity Oasis Forum

[merendarrin]

Well, its day three and we studied God's grace today. There have been so many times that we've seen evidence of His grace just within our marriage. He is so good to us!

But, His grace is SO big that I can hardly understand. ( I know my job is not to understand God, but to KNOW Him.) I shared this analogy with my precious bride:

God's grace reminds me of a huge ship. We were on our honeymoon in Key West five short years ago. As we stood at the dock there at Mallory Square, there were cruise ships that came into port. I would stand there and think how absolutely huge these things were, and wonder how they could even float? Then I remembered reading that as big as the ship is, there is even more below the water than there is above the water. That concept is just so overwhelming that it makes me not even want to think about it; I cannot get that into my head. In fact, it's so big that it scares me, literally.

Sadly, God's grace is that way to me. It is so big that it scares me. But regardless of my comfort level, it is still there and I'm so thankful that it is!
Sometimes, I suppose, we need something so big that we cannot fathom it, don't we?

Another thing that my wife and I discussed is that God's grace isn't just given to us, FOR us. Yes, it applies to us whenever we mess up, but that isn't the only time that it is ours to enjoy. Grace works in the same way that love does. God gives us His love, not to grab onto it and keep it to ourselves, but to let it pass through us and onto others around us. Grace is the same way. The grace that He gives and shows us is to be given in the same manner. But sometimes I think that giving grace to others for their mistakes is harder than loving them. It's easy to say "I love you, man!" but much harder to give grace and forgive when they offend.

Mere says that it seems it was much easier in the Old Testament when all you had to do was lay down, put ashes on, kill a goat, etc., and then you knew you were "good." You had taken care of all of the conditions and all was well again. With grace, there is a bit of faith involved and it's sometimes difficult because WE aren't the ones DOING it. We have to have faith that someone else has our back, taking our self out of the picture.

We like to be so self-reliant, and really...there is no room in Grace for that. It's all from Him, because of Him.

I pray that God get me to the point to where I WANT to do the right things for Him because it pleases Him, not because I fear punishment. That's still a big thing with me. I just want to see His heart for who He IS; a Father who wants to be with His children.

GBU,
Meredith and Darrin

[mlg]

Good morning Meredith and Darrin,

So today's step was on God's grace. As I was reading the words you shared about being afraid of something so big..it made me think about how we should Fear God...as in be in awe of His presence. It's ok to have a bit of Fear in our relationship...but God doesn't want us to be afraid of Him. His grace is so big, because He only wants us to love Him. He gives us every opportunity He can think of...because being loved is what brings Him joy.

Meredith had a point there too about the animal sacrifices in the Old Testament, how one didn't need faith, but knew because they saw it before their own eyes. But that's how faith was built then...God had to prove Himself time and time again to make people believe Him....but now His proof comes by the grace He gives to us so freely...oh how wonderful.

Hope both of you have a delightful day.

luv ya'll

[Dora]

Cool journaling!

It's helped me to see I have a friend who I'm treating like the Israelites did God, constantly forgetting their friendship is there and expecting them to prove it once again. I need to grow me some faith in my friend as well as in God.

I enjoyed your post. Going to ponder on this a while.

Give mere a big squeeze for me. She's precious.
Love ya both, brother and sister!