If there are a thousand steps between us and God, He will take all but one. (Max Lucado)
A conference of religious scholars once debated the issue of what makes Christianity unique. Some argued that Christianity teaches that God became a man. But it was pointed out that other religions teach similar doctrines. What about the resurrection? Other religions teach about resurrections.
CS Lewis happened to be at the conference and came into the discussion late. When they told him that they were debating the uniqueness of Christianity, he immediately gave the answer: "Oh, that's easy. It's grace."
Today's quote really gets at the basis of a life awash in the grace of Heaven. Such a life doesn't depend upon my effort — it depends upon the good will and the good work of God, which He freely gives to me. Just one thing depends upon me: I must have the central-life desire for God to fill me with His power and presence.
This is my first step. As soon as I am unclear or uncertain about this, the quality of my life diminishes. My thoughts and attitudes quickly go downhill. Joy is replaced by depression; a cheerful spirit by anxiety.
The only solution is for me continually to take the first step.
This act of submission or resignation to a will and to a power greater than my own is the single step that Max Lucado is talking about in today's quote. As soon as I take this first step, the Master takes all the others. And He is always ready for me to take this step. The Bible says that He stands outside the boundaries of my life patiently waiting for me to open the door to permit Him to come in.
We used to sing an old hymn that contained a wonderful verse:
Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace
Freely bestowed on all who believe
You who are longing to see His face
Will you this moment His grace receive?
And I answer, "Yes I will! Again! Right this moment!" Today I again take the first step that unlocks His ability to take all the others.
Heavenly Father, thanks for being patient with me through all my life, waiting for me to permit You to come. Thank You that I've finally learned never to keep You waiting; always to take the next "first step" towards You and towards your grace.
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Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues,
but the parent of all others. (Cicero) |
My wife told me about Oprah's belief that everyone should keep a gratitude journal; that we ought to make deliberate note of the many things we should be grateful for each day.
Oprah was right!
Robert Browning wrote the famous lines, "God is in heaven, and all is right with the world."
I'll admit those words are sometimes difficult.
I'm sure those words are true.
I've discovered (along with millions of other people) that maintaining awareness of Heaven's generosity opens my heart to receive the many gifts that continually shower down upon me.
I feel so blessed that I can hardly express myself!
I am so grateful for my family and friends; for my work, my church, and for my life that I can hardly put it into words.
But I feel compelled to try. The thoughts below are my attempts to do so.
Will you join me in giving thanks? (Feel free to drop me a line and tell me what you are grateful for. I'm don@110mag.com.)
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To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant,
to enact gratitude is generous and noble, to live gratitude is to touch heaven. (Johannes A. Gaertner) |
Psalm 55:22
Cast your cares on the LORD
and he will sustain you;
he will never let the righteous fall.
Jeremiah 17:7-8
But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
whose confidence is in him.
He will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.
Matthew 6:31-32
So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Hebrews 13:5
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
"Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you."