Amazing Grace

I finally had opportunity to spend time with the fine woman I will be mentoring.  She’s quite something.  She loves Jesus and is resolved to change her life for the better, to glorify Him.  We grabbed some coffee and spent about an hour and a half together, sharing life experiences and talking about what God has done for us.  I left her feeling pretty good about what God would do with this, confident that He would accomplish what He set out to do, and still humbled that He would use me for His purpose.  I woke up in the wee small hours of Thursday morning struck by the differences in our situations, but not just between me and her.  When Pastor B first approached me about being a mentor, I remembered the quote “There but for the grace of God go I” John Bradford.  The same quote is in the paperwork I received at the end of the approval process mentors go through.  I got to thinking about how true that quote really is.  But for the grace of God, I have a job, a home, a roof over my head, get to see and spend time with my son every day, have food in my pantry, a car, etc.  My family and friends are great and supportive.  I have access to church, the Bible, technology, and access to much information.  While I have not been in the same situation as many, I am by no means “better” than anyone. 

But for the grace of God…..I received a gift set of Philosophy for my birthday.  (I’m not bashing the company.  I like these products very much).  The shower gel is called Amazing Grace.  This is what the bottle says:  “Philosophy:  Life is a classroom. We are both student and teacher.  Each day is a test.  And each day we receive a passing or failing grade in one particular subject:  grace.”  This is NOT my philosophy.  This is NOT correct.  Every day I fall short.   Scripture is pretty clear on that.  “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”  Romans 3:23 It’s only through Christ that I make it through each day.  He is the reason I pass.  I pass because He is truly the Only One who ever passed.  God gave us His own Son for this very purpose that we can have live and have it to the full. (John 10:10).  Jesus is the only means by which we pass.  None of us have grace on our own.  Certainly we were not born with it.  It is not earned.  It is given to us freely by our loving Father.  “Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.”  That’s our truth every day.  This, my loves, may be our reality but this should be our philosophy:  “But he said to me ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’” 2 Corinthians 12:9 Only God’s grace is amazing.  Only God’s grace passes every test every day.  With my Savior’s help, I pray I will let His perfection be seen in my weakness.  “For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:10b

“There but for the grace of God go I” indeed.