A hope to come - grace abounds 

As I think back on the last few years, the Father has shown me that He gave me grace to walk through everything I walked through (good and bad) during those years. There were situations I didn’t think I could make it through, there were things He called me to do that I didn’t think I was ready or qualified for, there were seasons of having to wait for certain things, and I encountered people that were difficult to love and forgive. It was only because of His grace that I got to where I am today. It was only because of His grace that I didn’t fall under pressure, give up, give in to fear, or hold hatred and unforgiveness in my heart. His hand of grace was upon me each step of the way. His grace enabled me to do what I couldn’t do in myself. His grace was with me in the past, and it will continue to be with me for this year and the remaining years of my life.

Grace is defined as unmerited divine assistance given to humans for their regeneration and sanctification, a virtue coming from God. God divinely assists us to walk through our portion in life. Think of all the responsibilities you have, all the hats you wear, your trials, and the season you are in now. Sometimes, life can get overwhelming, and you may want to drop certain responsibilities or wonder how you’ll make it through certain things, but I want to encourage you through this blog post that God’s favour is with you to walk through it all. He has divinely favoured you to be a student, wife, mother, caretaker, minister, or whatever other role you play. He has divinely favoured you to endure this waiting season, to pass this test, and to walk through this trial. He has divinely favoured you to love the specific people around you who seem difficult to love, to forgive those who have hurt you, and to help those who need you. If He has called you to do something and you don’t think you are qualified, remember that He is the one who will do it through you.

Oftentimes, we think we carry the load of our own life, forgetting that it’s God who carries us. There have been so many times God had to remind me that I didn’t place myself where I am; therefore, the burden was never mine to carry. It’s so easy to forget that as a child of God, He ushers you to the season you are currently in. You are literally standing on His word every season, and when you are where God wants you, He will give you the favour you need (both material or spiritual) to be there and thrive there. God never calls us to a place so that we can die off. He calls us to where we are so that we can grow and mature in Him. Peter had the grace to walk on the water because Jesus gave him a word to come (Matt. 14:22-33). The only reason Peter began to sink was because he took his eyes off of Jesus. The only reason you’re sinking in your process is because you have taken your eyes off the One who called you and is able to sustain you. You have put your eyes on your own ability. You have begun to rely on yourself and your own strength instead of on God.

Grace enables us to live out this Christian walk. Grace is a gift! Without this gift, we can do nothing. Ephesians 4:7 says, “But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” We’ve all been given a measure (portion/quantity) of grace according to God's plan for us. So, for everything you’ve been through in your walk, are going through now, or will go through in the future, grace has already been given. God sees your future; He knows the plans that He has for you, the valleys you will walk through, and the mountains you will overtake. He’s already seen it all and has already given you what you need to get where He wants you to be. We often hear grace preached as just the forgiveness or covering of our sins, but it’s so much more than that. Within grace (that forgiveness) is a gift – the ability to overcome. It’s one thing to be forgiven; it’s another to be given the supernatural ability and power to walk in freedom and do what God has called us to do. Christ didn’t just come to forgive our sins; He came to save us from the power (grip) of sin by gracing (favouring) us with His precious Holy Spirit. It’s His Holy Spirit that enables us to no longer be bound to our sinful nature. Titus 2:11-12 says that His grace teaches us to live righteously in this world. So, His grace is given not only to forgive but to teach and enable. Romans 6:14 says, “For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.” This grace forgives us by covering our sins with the blood of Christ, but it goes further than that, it gives us power over our sins so that we are no longer mastered by it.

This grace also enables us to do the work of the Kingdom. Whatever God has called you to do in the Kingdom (in and out of the church), His grace gives you the special ability to do it. It’s not by your own might; it’s not even because you are gifted. Whatever spiritual gifts He has given you were even given by His grace. When we rely on His grace and not our own power when it comes to the work of the ministry, we can be so much more effective because His Spirit leads us. He also gives us grace for our sanctification process. The process of sanctification is not easy, it has its ups and downs, but God has given each of us a measure of grace to go through it and to be transformed into the person He has designed us to be. So, as you go through your process and God allows certain situations in your life (good or bad – in actuality, it’s all good even though it may not feel good) to make you, remember that He has given you grace to overcome, to soar and to thrive! His grace is what brought you to Him and it’s what will keep you and see you through.

“But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me” (2 Corinthians 12:9). God’s grace is sufficient for you! Feeling unqualified to do something He has called you to? – His grace is sufficient. Afraid to step out on a word He gave you? – His grace is sufficient. Don’t think you can make it through this season? – His grace is sufficient. Feel like giving up on ministry because it’s hard? – His grace is sufficient. Feel like you can’t juggle all the responsibilities in your life? His grace is sufficient. Feel like you can’t overcome a particular sin/lifestyle? – His grace is sufficient. Feel like you can’t endure this waiting process? – His grace is sufficient for you. Feel like giving up on your Christian walk altogether because it’s just too hard? – His grace is sufficient!

Rely on Him! He will keep and sustain you if you want to be kept. Don’t rely on yourself, let His power rest upon you in every area of your life! None of us can boast about where we are today, it’s only because of God’s grace.