For because of our faith, he has brought us into this place of highest privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to actually becoming all that God has had in mind for us to be.

Romans 5:2 TLB

 

First published March 2018

Do you ever feel that there’s so much wrong with you that you seem beyond repair? I have. Often. At times, along with many others, I have a negative view of myself. I feel weak, unloved, undeserving. I need God’s love more than ever.

Other times I’ve become aware of habits or behaviour I’m ashamed of, areas I want God to change. But change seems as though it would be impossible to achieve. How hopeless it all seems!

But a kind person assured me of some good news. God can set us on the road to transformation. He can help us change, no matter how difficult it may seem. If we receive Christ into our hearts we will be forgiven and under his grace.

… I wondered to myself, what is this “grace” anyway? Yes, I’m ashamed to admit it. Though a Christian for thirty years and much of that time in ministry, I often find myself unable to get my head around what that word means. Or is the lack of clarity simply due to the emotional space I so often find myself in?

God’s grace is the great love and forgiveness he has for us, no matter what. This grace frees us and changes us.

It’s strange how easily we can forget basic teachings from the Bible, especially when we’re not doing well. Despite many years of leading a Christian mental health support group – maybe not reading my Bible as regularly as I should – I’d forgotten some of the basics. I’d even forgotten the wonderful promise that nothing is impossible with God. Truly amazing that my faith had slipped so much that I’d forgotten all he can do!

Have you forgotten?

As we deal with the storms of life it can happen. At times like that we need our Christian friends to remind us. And how blessed we are when we have such people in our lives! How blessed we are when someone reminds us that God can transform us through his grace! Because of his great love for us we are forgiven, no matter how many our faults or our sins.

How does God transform us by his grace?

We come to him in our weakness, our sin, and our failure. Humbly and with honesty we look to him, ask for forgiveness and choose to believe in his ability to change us. As we rest in his love we grow.

Yes, we will grow. We will change.

marja