Grace

And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you ..." (2 Cor 12:9)

Paul wrote this, a quote from Christ to Paul, in regards to a thorn in the flesh from which he was suffering. I think, however, that the text speaks volumes beyond that context.

We Christians get that we are saved by grace, and that's a good thing. I think, however, that we miss the magnitude of that grace in every other facet of life. Grace for salvation is good. But do we see the grace for everyday living?

Start with "All have sinned." (Rom 3:23) Start with "The intent of man's heart is evil from his youth." (Gen 8:21) If these are true, what can you expect from God? Not merely nothing--judgment. And yet, when Adam and Eve fell, God did not begin with judgment. They didn't die on the spot. Grace. Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. Israel found grace in the wilderness (Jer 31:2) and in the midst of their judgment for their sin (Ezra 9:8). You and I find grace daily. The clothes you wear, the food you eat, the people you love, the job you have, the health you enjoy, every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father (James 1:17). His grace is enormous. And we have received grace upon grace (John 1:16).

God's grace in salvation is magnificent, marvelous, amazing. But beyond that His daily grace is ... what was it He told Paul? ... "sufficient for you." Let's not be like the normal human who don't honor God or thank Him (Rom 1:21). He deserves unending gratitude for His amazing grace toward us. Rather than take it for granted or, worse, demand it, look for it with joy and receive it with thanksgiving because God's grace is unmerited and bigger than you can imagine.