Grace . That is a word we throw around loosely often times.
{Grace is the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings.}
I can look back over my life and realize God has saved my tail more times than I can count. But I never gave him credit. Some would call it coincidence, others would call it a close one. I call it Grace.
In lemans terms Grace is getting what you don’t deserve.
We all deserve death. When sin came into the world it separated us from our creator. And he sent his son to be nailed to a cross to bear our sin and shame so that we could live abundantly in his grace. His ticket claimed death so ours could claim life. Now that’s Grace.
I’ve heard it said “The father might let you in the gate but society says you have to earn your place at the table.”
Ephesians 2:4-9
4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
The truth is our name is already on our seat at the table and he is waiting for us to feast with him.
We don’t have to DO anything to claim our seat.
Because of HIS Grace.
I struggled a lot on the race, post race and most of my life with being a DOER. My whole life has been a task, working, improving, excelling to reach the next bar. My life had always been task driven. People have told me, stop doing and just BE. I would think to myself, What does that even mean…. My identity (who I am) has always been rooted in what I’ve done or didn’t do. In my mind the best, the chosen, the winners, are at the top of the chart, the highest bracket, the winners circle. But that’s because society gives us those labels. We’re told from a young age, to be the best you have to take out the best. Superiority makes you somebody. Money, fame, nice things, and a nice physique make you “somebody.”
I’ve always felt like a nobody. I didn’t always have the nicest things, the best body or the nicest hair, I wasn’t the smartest or nicest and I didn’t have a fancy house, or an expensive car. My identity was not rooted in Christ. It was rooted in the world, and the labels I had been given.
What I’ve learned on the race is Grace makes you somebody. It’s because of grace that you even have a fighting chance. It’s the reason you wake up each morning. It’s the reason you have a chance at eternal life. It’s not based on what you’ve done or on anything you could ever DO.
It’s a free gift he extends to those who will receive it.
I want to share a story with you that comes from second Samuel about a man named Mephibosheth.
(Below is a beautiful paraphrased story from the book “Come Thirsty” by Max Lucado, highly recommend it if you haven’t read it)
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After King Saul died, David assumed the throne. David wondered if any of Saul’s’ family was still alive, because he made Saul’s son Jonathan a promise that he would show kindness to them.
David was adamant to keep his promises to display mercy to Saul’s descendants.
David got word that one of Jonathan’s sons was still indeed alive. However; he was crippled. He was labeled a misfortune.
In an earlier chapter of Samuel we read about the accident that caused this disability.
When Jonathan was alive he had a nurse living in his home, and upon hearing of the death of her master and his father she fled. In her haste she stumbled and dropped Mephibosheth leaving him crippled in both feet.
This child was labeled as damaged goods. He couldn’t walk. He couldn’t work. His father and grandfather were dead. Where was he to go?
He was dropped off in Lo-debar, stuck with a name longer than his arm. Dropped off like a potato from a torn paper sack.
If you’ve been dropped, then maybe you can relate to Mephibosheth. Dropped from the list. Dropped by a girl/guy. Dropped by the team. Dropped off at the orphanage. And now you walk with a limp. People don’t remember your name but they remember your pain. “He’s the alcoholic.” “Oh I remember her, the widow.” “You mean the divorced woman from down the street?” “There is that punk kid who is always in trouble.”
You live labeled.
But then something Cinderella- like happens. The Kings men knock on your
Lo-Debar door. They load you up in a wagon and carry you off to meet the king. You assume the worst and pray for a cell mate that doesn’t snore. But the servants don’t deposit you on the jailhouse steps; they seat you at the Kings table. Right above your seat sits a place card bearing your name.
And from that time on, Mephibosheth ate regularly with King David, as though he was one of his own sons. He could taste the best of foods from the finest of plates and the table cloth covered his crippled feet.
From Lo-debar to the palace, from obscurity to royalty, from no furniture to the Kings table. This story should serve as quite the reminder for us.
Mephibosheth models our journey.
God has lifted us from the dead end street of Lo-debar and sat us at his table. We are seated with him in heavenly realms.
Ephesians 2:6
And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.
Marinate your soul In that verse. Next time you feel that empty void, or that arid desert wind blow that defines you by yesterday’s struggles, or the label that’s been stuck on you for years; reach for Gods goblet of Grace and drink. Be filled.
Don’t worry about satisfying your parents. Shaming your family with your past. Don’t compare yourself to your colleague or the girl next door. Dong let the guilt from your past plague you. You’re not too fat, not pretty enough, nerdy, not smart enough or not good enough. You don’t have to keep striving, or trying to reach the next bar. Stop doing. Just BE.
According to his word, you are HIS, period. You are his masterpiece.
Ephesians 2:10
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Grace is your identity. Not the labels society has given you. Your story stirs an image for grace that needs to be seen by the world.
If he had a fridge your photo would be on it. If he had a wallet your face would be in it, and he would pull it out and show everyone. See him/her right there? That’s my boy/girl! I am so pleased with him/her. I love him/her so much!
Who determines your identity?
What defines you?
The day you were dropped? Or the day you were carried to the Kings table?
Receive Gods work. Drink and be filled from his well of abundant Grace. As grace sinks deep into your soul, Lo-debar will quickly become a dot in the rearview mirror. Your past will define you no more. Society will no longer label you.
You’ve been carried to the table.
You’re in the palace now.
