“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not
under the law, but under grace.”
Romans 6:14
For years,
I’ve had a small Jesus statue, depicting thanksgiving to God for the loaves and
fishes. This statue has traveled from Portland, Oregon to Dallas, Texas to our
current locale of Minnesota. And, over the years and states, it has,
unfortunately been broken at least a couple of times. His small hand, holding a
broken loaf of bread, has repeatedly been glued back on.
It’s irritating, yet also meditative, as it
got me thinking about the whole grace thing.
As someone
in recovery from disordered food and body image issues, I first come across the
grace perspective of giving thanks. “Saying grace” is the reminder to us of how
good God is; we thank Him for His provision in our lives.
“And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, ‘The
LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness
and truth.’”
Exodus 34:6
And, of
course, next, concerning the grace factor, is the mind-bending exploration its
properties…
“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not
under the law, but under grace.”
Romans 6:14
“For by grace are ye saved
through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works,
lest any man should boast.”
Ephesians 2:8-9
For those of
us recovering from not only eating and image issues, but also the harmful and
unrealistic pressure of perfectionism, grace is not an easy thing to come to.
After all, many of us have, in one way or another, achieved and earned many
accomplishments, including emaciated bodies, good grades, various awards and
scholarships.
And, going
deeper still, many of us have had experiences and feelings of needing to “earn”
love and value. If we’re “good enough,” “pretty enough” or “pleasing enough,”
only then, are we worthwhile.
But this is
contrary to God’s perspective of us…
“Since you were precious in my sight… I have loved you…”
Isaiah 43:4
“I have chosen you and
have not cast you away.”
Isaiah 41:9
“The LORD hath appeared of old unto
me, saying, ‘Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with
lovingkindness have I drawn thee.’”
Jeremiah
31:3
And, concerning
grace, God is not expecting our human perfection; He knows we’re not capable of
it:
“For all have
sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”
Romans 3:23
“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made
perfect in weakness.”
2 Corinthians 12:9
That’s why
grace is there for us; we need it!
“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that
ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good
work.”
2 Corinthians 9:8
It doesn’t
matter how many times we’ve broken something in our lives or failed in a
spectacular way. Grace is there. It’s beyond our comprehension and often, our
feelings. Yet, it is a free gift; there’s no earning of it whatsoever.
“I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness
come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.”
Galatians 2:21
We cannot be
anything “enough” to do so. It exists in
spite of us.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of
yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Ephesians 2:8-9
And, with that, grace is unbreakable, even
when our lives are not. We are encouraged, therefore, to approach and receive
that desperately needed grace…
“Let us therefore come
boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to
help in time of need.”
Hebrews 4:16
As human
beings, it’s a certain guarantee we are in need.
But, the
good news is that grace is constantly there to help us, not break us further.
Copyright © 2016 by
Sheryle Cruse
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