“Let grace be grace.” The invitation has been ringing in my ears throughout Lent. Sometimes as I’ve heard it, I’ve been able to lean in and let go and receive grace, other times not. As I spoke with the friend who helps me listen I had to confess that I felt like I still didn’t really have a clue how to let grace be grace.
She said this: “Maybe it’s just about where you look.”
Yes. That’s it. Will I focus on my failures (real or feared), or will I focus on Jesus?
Why do I forget this?
The dying Israelites had to look at the snake on the pole to live (Num 21:8-9).
Peter had to look at Jesus to keep from sinking (Matt 14:28-31).
And my Grandpa told me when he was teaching me to drive, “Look where you want to go.” Look at the Way, not at the ditches. We have to look around enough to know where the ditches are, but then, to get where we want to go, we have to return our gaze to the road we’re wanting to travel.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses—[all of whom looked more at God and his promises than at their sins or their circumstances]—let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:1-3)
Awesome photo, Carolyn, and love your Grandpa’s advice!
Great reminder. It’s true the eyes lead..
This is so applicable as I head into this month. God has led me down a path to do some things this month. To let go of so much that I have been needing to let go of for far too long. This will help me remember to keep looking ahead and oersevering no matter how hard it gets! Thank you for your writing! You are a huge blessing to me whenever I read your articles. And it was truly an ” only God ” thing that I ever found ypur blog to begin with! ?
Thanks for sharing this, Pam. Bless you as you head into this month and follow where God is leading!