Grace and Peace

Post date: Jul 29, 2011 4:06:22 PM

Grace is the freedom to run towards God, and fall all over myself, if need be, in the getting there.

We all want grace when we've strayed, but oh how hard it is to extend to others.... "It's NOT fair!!!"

No - it isn't fair to forgive another. But it wasn't fair when you were forgiven either. Grace is "unmerited favor", or we might say, unfair favor.

Giving and receiving grace and forgiveness, is the doorway to peace. It is the assurance of acceptance, despite my failings Though it must be clear that acceptance of a person does not equate with approval of all their behaviors. It is the willingness to stay engaged, which may be a matter of degree, while problems are worked out.

Grace is the gift of the giver, not an entitlement of the receiver. It is an option, not an obligation. I can ask for it, but have no grounds to demand it. I can only patiently wait on it. Peace comes when trust is restored, to some degree, through the application of grace. It's the opportunity for a new beginning, which clearly also implies change. A 'new' beginning is only new if something is different about it. Change in relational patterns is most often a gradual process, which is why "love is patient". Grace is the extension of relationship beyond offense, at the discretion of the one offended - it creates the security we all need to get up and try to move forward when we see that there is a long road ahead. It is what gives us Peace for the Journey.

The main challenge in long term relationships is that over time, both have likely offended, so much of this may need to go both ways in order to be effective. It also has to be clear that eventually, it takes cooperation on both sides to make any relationship work. Grace and forgiveness create the opportunity for change, but as a wise friend once said, "opportunities pass." Take advantage of them while they are there.