I just heard a song on the radio:
♪ Your grace is enough. Your grace is enough. Your grace is enough for me. ♫
As I listened, I found myself disagreeing. I don't think that grace is enough, if by 'enough' you mean 'all there is.' There is a sense in which I used to view grace as an end unto itself, a finish line - once you're saved, you're done. Period. How many Christians are chained to their chairs by the lackadaisical, energy-sucking belief that they have received grace, but that they are not free to follow their hearts' desires?
Grace is not supposed to be the end, it is supposed to be the beginning. Grace unshackles us so that we can run, reach and strive for an abundant life. It is the gunshot that signals the start of the race. It is the door flying open before the thoroughbred. It is freedom, and it is rocket fuel.
I first came across the concept of empowerment when I worked for Sears in the '80's. My manager told me that I was allowed to make decisions that affected customers, and that there were no wrong decisions; that is, I would not be reprimanded in any way as long as I did what I thought was best. To be sure, I didn't believe him at first. There was no way that he was giving that kind of freedom and power to the lowest man on the totem pole. But he was! And, it gave me confidence and strength to know that he was! It made me a better employee.
Empowerment. That's grace. The freedom from failure. The freedom to achieve. Grace is enough. But, it is not meant to be the end. It is not meant to lock you into a pew or a ministry. It is meant to free YOU, not make you a clone. So reach, strive, and reign in life.
Attempt. Succeed. Rejoice!
I welcome your thoughts and comments. :)
♪ Your grace is enough. Your grace is enough. Your grace is enough for me. ♫
As I listened, I found myself disagreeing. I don't think that grace is enough, if by 'enough' you mean 'all there is.' There is a sense in which I used to view grace as an end unto itself, a finish line - once you're saved, you're done. Period. How many Christians are chained to their chairs by the lackadaisical, energy-sucking belief that they have received grace, but that they are not free to follow their hearts' desires?
Grace is not supposed to be the end, it is supposed to be the beginning. Grace unshackles us so that we can run, reach and strive for an abundant life. It is the gunshot that signals the start of the race. It is the door flying open before the thoroughbred. It is freedom, and it is rocket fuel.
I first came across the concept of empowerment when I worked for Sears in the '80's. My manager told me that I was allowed to make decisions that affected customers, and that there were no wrong decisions; that is, I would not be reprimanded in any way as long as I did what I thought was best. To be sure, I didn't believe him at first. There was no way that he was giving that kind of freedom and power to the lowest man on the totem pole. But he was! And, it gave me confidence and strength to know that he was! It made me a better employee.
Empowerment. That's grace. The freedom from failure. The freedom to achieve. Grace is enough. But, it is not meant to be the end. It is not meant to lock you into a pew or a ministry. It is meant to free YOU, not make you a clone. So reach, strive, and reign in life.
Attempt. Succeed. Rejoice!
I welcome your thoughts and comments. :)
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