Grace

Grace is one of those Christian words we toss about freely.  It's worthy to be tossed about, don't get me wrong;  And I wonder if we don't actually grasp the depth of the word.  I recently read the word grace in Romans 1:7: "I am writing to all of you in Rome who are loved by God and are called to be his own holy people. May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace." (NLT)  Paul (the writer of Romans) often begins and ends his letters with the idea of God giving grace and peace.  It occurred to me that though I can define grace, perhaps I wasn't comprehending it's full measure of meaning.  I headed to my dictionary. 

Grace: Noun. 1. Seemingly effortless beauty or charm of movement, form or proportion.  2. A characteristic or quality pleasing for its charm or refinement.  3. Skill at avoiding the inept or clumsy course; a sense of fitness or propriety.  4. a. A disposition to be generous or helpful: good will.  b. Mercy; clemency.  5. A favor rendered by one who need not do so; indulgence.  6. Temporary immunity from penalties granted after a deadline has been passed: a period of grace before a new law is enforced. 7. Theology. a. Divine love and protection bestowed freely upon mankind. b. The state of being protected or sanctified by the favor of God.  c. An excellence or power granted by God; an unmerited gift from God.  8. A short prayer of blessing or thanksgiving said before or after a meal.  9. Used with his, her or your as a title of courtesy for a duke, duchess, or archbishop.  10. A musical embellishment, such as an appoggiatura.       Verb. 1. To honor or favor.  2. To give beauty, elegance or charm to.  3. Music. To embellish with grace notes.   [Middle English, from Old French, from Latin gratia, pleasure, favor, thanks.  from gratus, favorable, pleasing.]

Grace is a mouth-full of a word.  No wonder it often becomes a pleasurable, encouraging go-to word.   As I look at the single verse in Romans 1, I notice some parameters for this grace. This grace Paul is referring to is to be given to those who are loved by God, who "are called to be his own holy people." This grace comes from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. My first thought is I should just jump to the definitions under #7, Theology.  That would be sufficient if I didn't have any clue as to the meaning of the word.  I would gather an understanding so that I could comprehend what I was reading.  I wasn't looking for sufficiency; I was looking for depth, wonder, and the power found in the living Word of God.  I am acutely aware that the variety of ways words are defined hint to connotations that hide within the word regardless of how it is used.

When I look at the definitions of the word grace these are the connotations that come to my mind: lovely, attractiveness, enjoyable to behold, movement, holding one's head high, confidence, a feeling of being honored, chosen, within the top echelon, beyond the normal, creative, extra perhaps to the degree of extravagance, a gift, a realization of the "beyond-ness" of something, a bonus, delight.  Think about that… ALL that.  God: our creator; the One who longs for relationship with us to the degree that He sacrificed the very life of His only Son to provide a way so that we could have relationship with Him; the One who loves us with an unfailing love; the One who allows us to be called His Holy (seriously?) people; THAT God goes even further and bestows upon us that which is divinely lovely and enjoyable and enables us to hold our head high with confidence. He blesses us with bonuses that create forward holy movement in our hearts and lives.  He is extravagant toward us, delighting us with gifts to remind us that we are honored and chosen. He is creative in His giving and He delights in our delight. 

Ephesians 2:8 tells me His grace is a gift, a present.  I imagine it wrapped in an extravagant bow.  Second Corinthians 12:9 tells me God's grace is all I need.  His grace is so abundant, so beyond whatever there is that it provides complete and total sufficiency for whatever I face.  Hebrews 4:16 reminds me that God's grace helps me.  That seems like a no-brainer to me when I consider that God is going to extreme lengths to strengthen me, enable me to hold my head with confidence and remind me that I am honored and chosen. Romans 6:14 speaks to the truth that I have freedom in God's grace.  Oh what a wonder that is.  God so blesses me, that I can be assured of my place In the world and in His heart, that I am freed from the judgment, condemnation, and expectations of this world. He is my focus, my heart's cry and who I lean into for encouragement and hope, which God so graciously gives. John 1:16 tells me that God goes beyond the beyond because He gives grace upon grace.  He provides with abundance; He loves with abundance; He strengthens with abundance; he blesses with abundance.  Sufficiency has never looked so excessive. 

Simple warning: our culture tends to associate gifts and blessings with monetary items.  God is not our culture; God is so much wiser.  I have to remind my heart on some days that God's blessing, His grace to me, may come in the form of enabling and strengthening me to accomplish an extensive to-do list.  For this random, in-the-moment, 'are we having fun yet?' girl -- that's miraculous. Some days, God's grace to me is a window of sunshine when I head out to do errands on a rainy day.  Some days, God's grace to me is a song that reminds me of truth from His word, and I am reminded to humble myself before Him and submit in obedience to His commands.  Some days God's grace to me is tender words from my spouse, or one of my children, or a close friend.  Some days God's grace to me comes in unexpected surprises.  I remember one l-o-o-o-ng drive home from an event, when I was pleading with God over a want/need. I rounded a bend and displayed before me was the sun setting in one of the most spectacular views I have ever witnessed.  I was caught off guard and in complete awe of the majesty of the creator, God Almighty.  The Holy Spirit whispered His presence to my soul and I wept.  It still brings me to tears to remember the generosity and blessing of His grace in that moment.  Did he fix the circumstance, provide the want/need in that particular second?  No.  He gave me what my soul truly needed: His presence, His assurance, and a display of His glory.  That is grace.  

Today is just a day in the middle of a busy week.  There are dishes to be done, laundry to be folded, floors to be swept, furniture to be dusted, lessons and group discussions to prepare, cards to be created and notes to be written.  And I am loved by God.  He sees me and calls me Holy.  He is with me, offering me an abundance of grace and peace for the moments that this day holds.  That's just who He is.  And that too is grace.

                                                                                                                                                   

(Amazing grace image found at crosscards.com)