A Maze of Grace

That's Life! A maze of twists-n-turns: decisions, questions, affirmation, confirmation, confusion, victories, accomplishment, disappointments - all trumped by GRACE!!!

What is Grace? "The free and unmerited FAVOR of God, as manifested the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings." (Webster's def.)

PHASE 1: I speedily journey through this maze that we call life. UNTIL I HIT A WALL!!! I can't go any further. I'm stuck under this waterfall of disappointment, strife, pain, hurt, harm, confusion, sickness, bitterness, and rejection. I'm weak and I collapse gasping for breath, mustering strength to whisper, "Lord, where are you???" He gently and lovingly reminds me, "My child, I bring you to your knees so that the only place you can look, is upward. For in your weakness, I am strong." I surrender. And, at that moment, he floods me with His GRACE and strength and orders my footsteps.

PHASE 2: I confidently march on my journey - carefree and feeling blessed! I feel like I can run through this wall that I have now tried to dent with my human strength. "GET OUTTA MY WAY, WALL!" It doesn't move. I am over-confident, possessing stamina because, afterall, I have been told how blessed I am; God's anointing is on my life; I'm going to be successful; I have a rich heritage; etc.

PRIDE?????

I shout to the Lord with confidence (or would that be arrogance?) "LORD, WHERE ARE YOU???" He authoritatively informs me, "My child, if you have not love, you are nothing. You are as sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal. You are puffed up. You may prophesy, understand mysteries, and have knowledge. You may feed the poor, but unless you have love, it profits me nothing." OUCH! I cry in humility and repent - I am nothing! But, through redemption I am sprinkled with His love and glazed with HIS GRACE. I am a child of the King and He removes the mountains (and walls) for me.

PHASE 3: I have now learned to cautiously stroll through this journey. I rely on people to affirm my existence and rely on life's experiences to guide my decisions. I've learned much and have come a long way. ANOTHER WALL!!! I'm not surprised. It happens - I deal! So, I stand here and wait on the Lord. "Um, Lord? Ya there? It's been a while." In the meantime, people have passed by sharing their stories and giving advice. Relationships have come-n-gone for a particular season and reason. Situations have changed to allow for growth (with lots of bumps-n bruises along the way.) Yep. I've been stuck at this wall for quite some time. So, I remain complacent relying on God to see me through. "Hey Lord, I'll just be waiting for you, so when you're ready, just let me know."

***still waiting***

A blast of lightening and rumbles of thunder crack and shake the wall. It quickens my being. And the Lord exhorts, "My child, the harvest is great; I give you power to tread upon the enemy; Love the Lord your God; Keep my commandments; I will make thee as a signet for I have chosen thee; Go out with joy; Be led forth with peace; My redemption draweth nigh." I have a time of refreshing with my Lord, for by His GRACE, this I am able and commissioned to do. Gotta get going! Let go and let God!

It's true. I wouldn't take nothing for my journey now (remember that song?) because His AMAZING GRACE has brought me this far and I can't turn back. Hallelujah! He looked beyond my faults and saw my need. Because of that, Amazing Grace will always be my song of praise; for it was Grace that brought my liberty!!!

FINAL PHASE: His Amazing Grace saved a wretch like me, and now I continue on my journey and mission, navigating the maze of life with the Word as my compass and His exhortation as my fuel-n-fire, until that day when I enter into His gates - wall free - and he says, "My good and faithful child, well done...Enter thou into the joy of the Lord."

PS Lord, um, I ain't quite ready for the pearly gates, yet. So I'll just keep traveling the maze toward the illuminating beam from above and make the most of this journey. But, it's really about the destination!

BLESSING: "And of His fulness have all we received, and grace for grace." John 1:16

Side Bar: Click on the Amazing Grace link to the right and share this sentiment with me, to my Heavenly Father!