Cycles of Grace

“Every detail works to your advantage and to God’s glory: more and more grace, more and more people, more and more praise!” (2 Corinthians 4:15 MSG)

Think about the last time you lost something  or someone who was dear to you. How did you feel?

Every time I’m faced with deep loss, I feel vulnerable, stripped down, exposed, and powerless. Because of my neediness, I turn to God. Because of my nakedness, I can feel His embrace. Because of my frailty, I surrender to His will. Awareness of my vulnerability leads me to Grace. God takes His time. He restores me lovingly. He revives me patiently. I am thankful. Unfortunately, once I feel strong, it doesn’t take long for me to regress back to my old self-reliant ways. Then the next trial comes along, and the cycle of grace repeats.

Trials expose our limitations. Our vulnerability propels us to seek God. The experience of Grace leads us to thanksgiving. Even though we will continue to fall, God is there to pick us back up. Every relapse merely highlights God’s grace. This becomes an opportunity for praise. Gratitude begets even more grace. This cycle continually multiplies and spreads to more and more people until everything comes together for the glory of God.