It Always Begins With the Heartنموونە

A Gracious Heart

The entire chapter of Romans 3 is worth reading again and again.

As I read this, I am reminded of an incident, early in my career, where one of my colleagues was rude and unfair to me, making it extremely difficult to work with her. Or at least that was my view. I was upset, hurt and wanted God to rescue me immediately. I prayed fervently and waited for the answer. But God was silent. My impatience grew, but I had no choice but to continue my daily interactions with this colleague.

That period of silence was possibly one of the most fruitful times of my life because, in reality, He wasn’t silent. He was gently posing some deep questions from Rom 3, softly encouraging me to reflect, ‘Am I any better?’ 

‘There is no one righteous,' not even me.

‘For all have sinned,' including me.

Who am I to sit on a high pedestal judging others? After all, I too am a sinner, saved by grace. The realisation was the easy part. Translation into action, now, was hugely difficult. But God calls us to be His children in the marketplace. If He daily keeps giving me His grace, how do I show that to those around me? Grace is not quid pro quo – ‘You are good to me, so I’ll be good to you.' No, it is the exact opposite. ‘You are not good to me, yet I will be good to you; you are being unfair, yet I will play fair; you are being rude, yet I will reflect His patience; I will represent His love no matter how you are with me.'

My behaviour towards my colleague changed gradually. It was not easy for me, because people around thought I was giving in too easily. It went against all the corporate fundamentals that I knew. But, I reminded myself, we are called to be different and to show our Father’s heart of grace.

Lord help me to have Your heart and reflect Your grace in all circumstances. Help me to be a channel of Your blessings wherever You have placed me.