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The In Crowd

Grace is invaluable to a Christ follower. Without grace we recognize our demise and realize all of our shortcomings. Grace is critical - it is the free and unmerited favor of God that is extended to all who will receive. That's huge! We don't deserve His grace and we don't qualify for His grace . . . it is free and we are not entitled to it. As Christ followers we write about grace, sing about grace, talk about grace, we say 'grace' before meals, we thank God for His grace, but often we fall short of extending His grace.

I, for some weird reason, like the movie 'The Devil Wears Prada.' It's the story of a young magazine columnist, Andy, who is a determined lady who knows her values and her stance on societal issues - until she becomes entrenched in the society she always stood against. Little by little her values began to change when she was pressured by the other side . . . soon she was a part of the 'in crowd' and never realized she had change. 

Acts 20.24 says, 'However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.' We have a task - it's not to just talk, sing and thank God for His grace - it's to testify of His grace. Testify means to serve as evidence or proof of something's existence . . . it means to be an example of something. 

The way I see it Christ followers [myself included] can begin thinking we are a part of the 'in crowd' and forget that we still can't merit God's grace . . . it is free and unmerited and only comes through Jesus Christ. No matter how long we know Him - we still need His grace. We're not on the inside looking out - we are an extension of Jesus Christ on earth and we need to make every effort to testify of the gospel of God's grace. I'm not suggesting we need to let everything pass by and accept 'whatever', but too often Christ followers can play judge rather than testify of grace. Our task it not to judge - it's to testify.

Where are you on the grace spectrum? Have you received God's grace? Are you showing [testifying of ] God's grace? What ways do you play judge, and what ways do you testify? Do your actions ever indicate you are an 'in crowd' thinker? Please share.

Your worst days are never so bad that you're beyond the reach of His grace. And your best days are never so good that you're beyond the need of His grace. Everyday should be a day of relating to God on the basis of His grace alone. -Jerry Bridges

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Adequate or Inadequate?

Life presents us with huge challenges . . . and when challenges come our way we often measure ourselves against the standard of "adequacy or inadequacy." In other words, we take on challenges we feel adequate for. When we don't feel adequate we take a different direction. Sometimes a facade goes up; we say, "That's not my calling." or "I don't feel led to do that."  At times those statements are true, but many times we keep challenges or opportunities at bay because we don't feel adequate to meet the challenge.

Feelings of inadequacy are a very sharp, two-edged sword. When we feel inadequate about something it can keep us from stepping out in faith. Our fear of failure or disappointment, because of a sense of inadequacy can paralyze us to the point we let incredible opportunities pass by. When we only pursuit things that we feel we are adequate to accomplish, it often negates God from showing His strength and power to do the impossible . . . we stay contained in the world of 'lesser'  . . . less of God and more of us.  

That's the opposite of how Jesus told us to be, John said, "I must decrease and He [Christ] must increase." The other edge of inadequacy is God's reality. When we feel inadequate to do what God has asked us to do we are actually in a great position. Its a place of humility and reality, a place of recognizing our limitations and faith-ing that God can do the impossible. Its a place where we begin to recognize God's awesome strength and limitless power . . . its the recognition that nothing is impossible with Him.

Today, God may be asking you to step out in faith, and you may feel inadequate to accomplish the task.  Truth is, you probably are inadequate . . . adequacy doesn't require faith. But just as my friend Thom reminded me of a few days ago, Moses felt inadequate, but God chose him anyway . . . and He's choosing you. Your sense of inadequacy will either paralyze you spiritual or it will cause you to trust Him more.  Afterall, isn't that where He wants us to be . . . fully devoted to Him. Step out today, let your sense of inadequacy push you toward God and watch what He can accomplish through you.

Application ::

- Are you battling with a sense of inadequacy?

- Which way is it pushing you?

- Have you asked God for the strength to trust Him in those situations?

- How has your faith grown through inadequacy?

Would like to hear how God is working in your life, please share.