Beauty can be breathtaking, can’t it? I grab the iphone and look at the picture just taken, and I’m left standing at the edge of the Grand Canyon’s South Rim in stunned silence. It’s not my photo-taking skills—not even with the latest version of my device—it’s the pure magnificence of the scene in front of me.
There ARE things that can literally take your breath away, right?
That’s how I feel when I reflect on the beauty of the Gospel! We’re all sinners…it’s a glum community we share across the world. We each have to sit in the brokenness, confusion and chaos of our sin. No matter our personality, ethnicity, habits, attitudes, intelligence, etc. EVERYONE falls short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).
But it just takes my breath away that all people—all of us—are invited to receive what none of us deserve—Grace. Because Christ died for us. What a beautiful, everlasting gift—certainly no picture can do it justice! Will you take that in with me again today?
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.”
Ephesians 2:8
Sometimes everyday routine occupies my thoughts and time, but what I really should do is to grab the iphone and look at the picture just taken. I’ve been reminded lately to ask the Holy Spirit to give me eyes to see who I am already in relationship with who is ready to hear the Gospel, needing to hear Good News, open to receive saving grace.
What if that prayer was a daily lens as I go about my day?
Our past sins, future sins, and any sins in between have already been met with God’s grace. So let’s commit together again today to keep looking for ways to reflect that grace given through Christ. Start small. For me, that looks like softening my emails, being mindful of others, forgiving the person who cut me off in the parking lot, or hugging my friend and reminding her that I’m praying—and Jesus in fact listens. There are countless opportunities in our daily life!
Sit with me in God’s grace for a bit…and rediscover the strength and peace it provides.
by Sarah Oestermeyer, PLI’s Operations Coordinator
