Is God's Grace Really for Me?
Lessons from a longer than expected pause...
Do you ever feel like God’s grace is for everyone except you?
When I felt God nudge me to press pause on Mixed.ology a few months ago, I could sense it wouldn’t be forever. At the time, I thought it would only be for a couple of months. I planned to rest and reset, dream and plan, create and schedule. I planned to rediscover a better balance between work, writing, and family.
I set my return date for September 1st and even hinted at some new resources I would release when I returned.
Well, it’s the beginning of November and this is my first post since June…and I’ve learned that’s okay.
There was a time (not that long ago) when I would have beaten myself up for being a day or two behind schedule, let alone weeks later than expected. I would have believed that I was letting you, my reader, down and not working hard enough to make it all happen…even when I felt God was directing me differently. I would have pushed His grace aside to continue striving and hustling.
In the silent moments when I was alone, exhausted, and burning out, I began to see the truth: My striving wasn’t only the result of unrealistic expectations or goals I longed to achieve. I continued striving because I didn’t trust that God would fill in the gaps for me.
This past year, God has continued showing me His grace isn’t just for the person across the desk or on the other side of the computer screen. His grace is for me too. It applies to my schedule, my dreams, and my expectations. It applies to my capabilities and limitations.
If God extends it [grace] to me, I need to be willing to grab hold and rest in it.
And that’s what I’ve been doing. I’ve been leaning in close to hear His still, small voice. I’ve been taking notice of the way His Spirit is leading me. I’ve been spending more time in prayer. And I’ve been giving myself permission to rest in His grace.
Take Aways:
Friend, this message is true for you too. His grace is enough. It’s not going to run out when it comes to you. You’re not outside of His reach or sight. He is offering you rest, stillness, refuge, peace, comfort, joy, community. When you find yourself at the end, He is there to pick up the load and carry it. In fact, He’s been beside you the whole time, ready to lessen the load you carry if you let Him.
Stiving is a lie.
Hustle is a lie.
You’re enough is a lie.
You got this is a lie.
I’m learning to let go of the lies culture tells us and grab hold of the truth that:
His grace is for me.
His timing is perfect.
I don’t have to be everything to everyone.
It’s not up to me to carry it all.
Self Reflection:
Wherever you find yourself today, I pray this reminder encourages your soul and helps reset your day.
Questions to Ponder:
1. Why do we believe God’s grace isn’t enough for me?
2. Where do I need to let go of lies or control and trust God with the outcome(s)?
I’d love to hear from you. If this post spoke to you, I’d love to hear about it.
Leave a comment below
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Loved this! Thanks for sharing. I feel similarly. When I started my newsletter, I told myself that I was doing it for pure joy so I wouldn't allow deadlines to stop me. My coach told me something that has stuck with me: I am the CEO so I get to decide when to write and post.