March #jammed: Grace Revealed.

Day 84: Afraid to use it.

“Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly.” 1 Timothy 4:7

“I think I’m ready for a nice bag,” I told my husband when he asked for Christmas ideas. This thrift store gal feels like paying half price is splurging, and sure enough, when I opened that big designer box for Christmas …I could finally say I owned something really valuable.

Listen. I’ve used that bag a handful of times. The rest of the time it sits in my closet and looks really pretty. I like to look at it, but I’m nervous using it. I don’t want to be the one to break it in. Second hand purchases are way less stressful.

“To meditate on the Scriptures is to think about them, turning them over in our minds, and applying them to our life’s situations.” Jerry Bridges, The Pursuit of Holiness

The other issue lodged in my heart was guilt. There are hungry people, and I’m carrying this bag. Bleh. Just makes me feel all sorts of ugly.

Then, there’s worrying about what people will think. “Oh, she has that bag …hmmmm.. must be nice.”

“Train yourself to be godly…” todays’ verse says. What does that mean?

“godliness-Reverence for or devotion to God, producing a practical awareness of God in every aspect of life….in this verse’s context …godly living demands self-discipline.” Dictionary of Bible Themes.

Grace is not afraid of our worthiness. When we accept more than we deserve with a thankful heart, it displays gratitude …which is a discipline of the heart. To be thankful. I’m not sure how much I’ll use that bag, but I do know myself. I requested a neutral, timeless color that wouldn’t drift out of season or style. I may grow into it.

Grace, on the other hand, is one size fits all and for all seasons and walks of life.

Father, Praise You for grace. Thank You for blessing us with nice things on this earth, even though they will fade away along with the life we live here. Forgive us for valuing any ‘thing’ beyond Your grace. Bless us with grateful, disciplined, hearts. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

What is your favorite thing to look at “up close?”  Get the conversation started by commenting below, and let’s encourage one another as we face life in 2017 armed with grace! 

#greatgrace17

Happy Bag Hunting,

Megs

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