Our kids tend to lean on God the same way they lean on us. So, if we’re telling them all the ways they don’t measure up, they’re likely to see God as displeased with them, as well.
Maybe that’s something you also experienced that is still a struggle for you today. It’s easy to imagine God is somewhere up there writing down all the bad things you’ve done, like some sort of Santa, and that no matter how good you try to be, the list just never evens up.
The sweet thing about God’s grace is it’s not about how good we are, but about the great sacrifice Christ paid: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit, (because) by one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” (Romans 8:1a KJ21 and Hebrews 10:14 NIV)
This Christmas season, choose to receive fully God’s grace for whatever Satan has been holding over your head, and offer freely His grace to others.
After all, none of us is perfect; except through the One Who has made us so. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9.
Lord, in what ways have I been striving too hard to get others’ approval, especially Yours? Teach me to rest in Your grace and salvation. To run hard after You, not just accomplishing things for You or so others will see what I’ve done and somehow affirm me. You already paid the sacrifice for my sin. Now, I am in the process of being made holy, of conforming to Your image. And I can only do that in Your empowering. Shape me, Lord. Mold me into who You want me to be. Remind me to seek You each morning and ask You what You want to do with my day, then to follow Your lead throughout the day, looking for what You’re doing in each circumstance and doing that together with You. This life is about experiencing Your great love for me, loving You back, and loving others through Your love. Matthew 22:37-40. I can’t do that when I’m all worried about my mistakes. Help me receive Your forgiveness and enjoy Your love. Forgive me for the ways I’ve reduced life to busyness and have shoved aside time just to be with You, to pray, to rest in Your arms, to enjoy You. Thank You that because of Your grace I have favor with You already. Help me this Christmas to enjoy the fullness of Your Gift to us and make the memories not about how I don’t measure up, but about how You, the Perfect One, love me because I am Your child. Perfect because You have made me so. Empower me to have grace for others also, to see them through Your eyes and love them as You first loved me. Put a guard over my mouth whenever I start to put down my children, my husband or someone else, and then give me Your words for them instead. Words that bring life, that pick them up and help them stand. Words of love, understanding and encouragement.
About the author: Mikaela Vincent and her husband have served the Lord for many years in a dark area of the world where Christians are persecuted and few have heard the good news about Christ. They are missionaries who live by faith, trusting in God to provide for their needs as they pray for and share Christ with the nations. If you would like to help their ministry through giving a donation, shopping at Mikaela’s online bookstore, praying for them or inviting them to speak at your church, retreat or other event, click the buttons below:
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