February #jammed: Dunked in Grace 

Day 39: Grace is expectedly unexpected.

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Phillipians 3:12-14 (NIV)

“Photobomb!!!!”

Who could have predicted that taking a nice family picture would get even harder as time rolled on? Purposely botched pictures end up being my favorite moments to remember. What would our walls look like if we framed all of the candid moments instead of the “staged” candid moments?

The hallway walls in our first home were completely covered with framed pictures. There was no rhyme, reason or Pinterest in my life back then. To look back, I’m sure I’d be appalled at what I did to those walls. But, in those first days of our family, I was proud of every moment! I didn’t care that those cheap frames would fall down and damage my toe or crash as my shoulder brushed against them. They were my memories, and I loved that hallway.

I never put all of those frames back up, as I intended to when I packed them up for the new house. But over time and one by one, I went down to the basement to pull out a frame to “repurpose,” as I snuck holes in new walls to make it feel more like home.

Paul’s words in today’s verse echo in my ears as I look back at those “old house” memories: “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on …”

There are some moments in life that we skip out of, and others that we barely survive. Through them all, walks Jesus with us. Imagine Him photo-bombing every picture we’ve ever taken! No matter if change is exciting or heartbreaking, looks back are always laced in some kind of emotion.

Life moves forward, whether we’re ready or not. What are we moving toward? The bigger and the better …just to be bigger and better? Paul reminds us, “ I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Heaven is the end of an earthly life walked with Christ.

Father, You are incredibly forthright to leap out of the ancient text of the Bible and bring it to life in our lives today. Praise You for Your Living Word, and thank You for Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross to bring us into Your presence. We confess that we sometimes move to keep up with life instead of in stride with You. Forgive us, and bless us with the endurance to keep our eyes on You, all the way to the end. In Jesus Name, Amen.

What’s your favorite framed picture? Get the conversation started by commenting below, and let’s encourage one another as we face life in 2017 armed with grace! 

#greatgrace17

Happy Framing,

Megs

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