PRAISE & PRAYER PROMPT ••• Three times a week, I meet two of my friends at 7:30 in the morning to go for a walk.
Summer heat and humidity are the primary driving force behind our meeting time because North Carolina takes her commitment to summer VERY seriously.
When the AccuWeather RealFeel is predicted to be 108 degrees, you know NC means business (but at least it’s not snow so I won’t complain).
Anyway, a few weeks ago, I was thinking of getting a bicycle so I could have some variety on the days we don’t walk.
One of my walking friends offered to loan me hers before I spent the money.
She has a good six inches on me but assured me that the seat would lower.
But even with the seat at the lowest setting, it was too tall for me.
I couldn’t even balance on my tippy-toes.
Anyway, this image of me trying to find my footing has stayed with me for a few weeks and today, I began to make some parallels.
I want to ride a bicycle because I loved the experience when I was young.
Riding my bike back then offered me freedom, time with my thoughts and ideas, and a chance to experience the sun on my back and the wind in my face.
And each one of us wants the same, no matter what our age…
To experience freedom from our imperfections…
The joy of a life lived unencumbered by guilt, shame, and feelings of inadequacy.
We want the innocence and charm of a life that is free.
Dare I say it?
We all want a grace-full life.
And yet, we find ourselves unbalanced and unable to get our footing.
Enter God’s grace.
We simply can’t experience the freedom and joy we seek without the perfection and goodness of God’s grace to steady us.
My favorite verses in the Bible are Ephesians 2:8-9.
They say, “For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— not from works, so that no one can boast.”
His grace fills the gaps that enable us to experience what we can’t find on our own.
Then, His grace sustains us.
Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 12:9a, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.’”
And just as God’s grace was sufficient for Paul, it is sufficient for us.
But it’s up to us to accept the gift, lean on it, and depend on it.
We will never have the balance and freedom we need without it.
Today, as you pray, thank God for His amazing grace.
Though we don’t deserve it, ask Him to flood your heart and soul with only the grace He can provide.
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you lean on His grace and to trust it.
