Overlapping Grace

“From his fullness we have received grace upon grace.” (John 1:16, ESV)

One of the things I really enjoy doing is sitting by the water. I especially love hearing and watching the waves roll to the shore or hit again the breaker wall.  It’s such a calming sound and vision. Sometimes, if I’m not watching but doing something else like reading or having conversation I will hardly notice a wave  come to shore. Its landing may be soft and gentle almost unnoticeable. But other times whether my eyes are fixed on the water or not I don’t have to physically see it hit, all I need to do is hear it because it comes in with a splash or slap so loud I could not miss it, no matter what.

As closely as we can humanly describe God’s grace sufiiciently we might say his grace is the “divine influence which operates in humans to regenerate and sanctify. A divine presence and activity to impart strength to endure some trial or resist temptation, or as an individual virtue or excellence, or a blessing sent into one’s life through supernatural means.”

God’s grace in our lives is much like the waves on the water coming to shore. At times it is quiet, barely detectable that might be identified as a sustaining grace or the grace we need to jsut get through our day or complete tasks, and at other times we might describe it as loud, grand, an attention getter such as an overwhelming sense of peace in the midst of the chaotic, or an unexpected wonder, or miracle of healing; making a gigantic splash into our ordinary.  However God sends his grace to us it is always from his fullness and always overlapping, unending, inexhaustible. Nothing but grace upon grace. Let’s Pray

Dear God, thank you for giving to us from your own fullness and for sending your grace so consistently that it can be said we receive grace upon grace. Amen

Questions for Soul-Tending

How do the words of John resonate in your life and circumstances?

What does reading we receive God’s grace upon grace through his fullness?

What are the waves of God’s grace giving or bringing you now?

How will you apply todays focus into you plan of soul-care?