A Space for Grace
by
Kit Seely
As a senior in college I have enjoyed living away from home for quite some
time. But I still look forward to driving that hour to my hometown a couple
times a month to sleep in my own bed, escape from my roommates for a while,
eat something other than macaroni and cheese, and visit with my mom. My
mother has been nothing less than an amazing influence and support in my
life. Over the years, I’ve watched her grow spiritually, and through that I
have been challenged to grow myself. I’m always interested in her patient,
hopeful outlook on things.
Lately I can’t seem to have a conversation with her without the word “grace”
peppering the discussion at least once or twice. A lot has transpired in the
past many months and at every crossroads my mother has mentioned grace. This
has spurred me to examine the role of grace in the many less-than-perfect
areas of my life.
In 2 Corinthians chapter 12, Paul talks about his “thorn in the flesh,” put
there by God to keep Paul humble. Not wanting it to hinder his ministry,
Paul asks that it might be taken away. But the Lord denies him, saying, “My
grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2
Cor 12:9a). Rather than God’s work through Paul being frustrated by this
“thorn,” God demonstrates his power by using human weakness.
Many things seem to be hopelessly messed up right now, in my life and also
in the life of the church. There are poor relationships, problems that seem
to be without solution, confusions, mistakes, and the list goes on. Often I
grow weary as I can’t see how any of it can work out and be fixed. That is
where God’s grace comes in. In all this sea of human weakness He finds the
perfect stage for his power. We’re not sure exactly what Paul’s “thorn in
the flesh” was, but it doesn’t matter. We all have one, actually probably
many. The point is that God works in these seemingly desperate circumstances
for His glory, so we know that only He is to be praised. It can be no work
of ours.
So this Christmas season, and into the new year, I encourage you to join me
in seeking space for a little grace in all the areas of our lives. Let us
put to use this gift from God and practice grace in our lives just as He
showed it to us. A little grace can go a long way as God works in and
through our lives. In our weakness, God’s power shines. As Paul says in the
tenth verse of 2 Cor 12, “For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
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* Learning To Follow is a regular column in the quarterly VOW newsletter.
Kit Seely is a Senior at Colorado Christian College. If you would like to
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