Living Out Patterns of Grace

Though grace is simple, consistently living out the grace we receive from Christ requires a pattern of continual awareness and alignment with His truth. Because we are prone to forget, we must humbly surrender again and again so we can once more rely completely on His goodness alone to uphold us, care for us, and transform us.

Establishing positive routines that bring you back to the awareness of your role as Christ’s beloved child is vital. This involves reminding yourself of the truths of who you are and who God is, truths that can become obscured by the shadows of self-doubt, exhaustion, and the weights of comparison we all carry. These truths include:

• He is a “compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness” (Exodus 34:6).
• “The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom” (Isaiah 40:28).
• We are God’s witnesses, whom he has chosen (Isaiah 43:10).
• “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

For me, it’s a source of strength to recall how God talks about Himself and the different roles He has assumed to help and guide me. Each role teaches me how to rely on Him in unique ways that counteract my false self-beliefs. Amazingly, when my untrue thoughts meet God’s unwavering truths, it’s like receiving a warm embrace from one of His most well-communicated roles in Scripture: The Good Shepherd (John 10:11). This makes me again feel secure, loved, and at peace.

Understanding who we are—and more importantly, whose we are—invites grace in and reminds us of our true place in God’s love and embrace.

God, thank You for bestowing on me the role of Your beloved child. I’m grateful that I have a Good Shepherd who is abounding in love, patience, and grace. Amen.