Embracing Grace through Practicing Gratitude
Ephesians 2:8-9 is so powerful in the way it directly addresses the concept of grace. We can't earn our salvation by our good works. It's a freely given, grace-filled gift. We hear this often, but to really absorb this truth into our spirit is another matter.
This grace is hard for me to comprehend, given how hard I am on myself sometimes. I always want to be a "better Christian," and that "work" can overshadow the free gift of grace in my daily life. Given that "grace" is mentioned over 170 times in the Bible (the exact number varies slightly depending on translation), the Lord must have known how often we would need reminding!
I've been pondering how to better “embrace grace.” What I keep coming back to is practicing gratitude. As I focus on gratitude, I feel more connected to and comfortable with grace, especially the kind given by the Lord. On my Facebook, Instagram, and Substack, I've started listing a daily gratitude highlight. I'm doing this for at least a month (maybe longer). Every day I list at least one person, thing, or event for which I'm thankful. As I take the time to prepare my posts, I'm realizing how much I have to be thankful for. As I'm living with that gratitude, I'm also becoming more accepting of the grace that has covered all of it.
I decided to do this gratitude highlights project publicly to give thanks to the Lord for all He has done, because I believe it's one thing to write it privately in my journal, but it's another thing to say it out loud and post it for others to see. The former is easily forgotten; the latter is a testimony and a declaration of the grace of God. It's a line in the sand and a permanent reminder I can draw upon when I face difficulties.
If you're like me and have a bit of trouble embracing grace, I invite you to try what I'm doing. I believe it will help us embrace grace better in this new year. Here’s to embracing grace fully in 2025!
Questions for Reflection:1. Do you ever find yourself trying to be a "better Christian" through your own efforts and feeling you fall short? How do you remind yourself in these instances to embrace grace?
2. Grace is not a topic we hear a lot about in our current culture. This counter-cultural message of God's grace is so central to Christianity, and yet it can seem hard to get our arms around. How do you center Grace in your daily life and Christian walk?
3. I invite you to try my gratitude highlights project. When you're finished, come back to this article and reflect on your ability to embrace grace. Has it increased? How has your life changed?
