Train our hearts for joy!
I saw a seashell dirty and battered from the sea. It lay wedged in the sand while the unrelenting ocean continued to badger it. Only when the waves receded, could I look at the specifics of the shell. I noted its many thick ridges that ran vertically on the shell. The shell’s ridges impressed me with how straight and even they were — exact and precise.
When I asked for the meaning of the vision, He told me. “Consider and look up the significance of these ridges.”
When I did so, I found that each day another ridge is added to a scallop’s shell. Wow, that is amazing to me. These ridges are so precise, and they produce a new one every day. But, what does that have to do with us humans? I would need to take that back to Him to learn His thoughts.
“Consider I gave each person the same hours, minutes, and seconds in a day. Further, each person is giving My overabundant grace each day. Some choose to reject My grace and sacrifice on the cross.”
“But for you that call on My name how do you apply My grace? This distinguishes you from another. Do you take it in, use and build with My grace for that day? Does the marking of one day show My grace, and love in those around you?”
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We can’t monitor ourselves at the end of the day like a scallop could. (if it could) We can’t look at our ridge for the day and comment on their form. “Looking particularly straight today or what a crooked mess.”
God doesn’t judge us by how we look or even how well we do what we do. He is looking at how we use His grace to love others. Not to give us a grade, but simply to reassure us it’s not our worth God is looking at. When God sees, you He sees Christ’s grace and sacrifice.
Don’t judge your day on how much you got done or didn’t get done. Reflect on the goodness of God and bask in the overabundant grace He has given you. Count the ways He has blessed You today. Make this a minutely, hourly, and daily habit so that at the end of your life all you see is God’s grace and not your faults or stumbles.
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Cor. 12:9, ESV) The context of this scripture is what Paul heard from the Lord when he asked God to remove the “thorn in his side” that was causing Paul grief.
I’m preaching to myself on this one for sure. I am constantly evaluating my day on how much I got done, the cleanliness of my house, my writing, my parenting, etc. What a waste of time, but I have such a hard time breaking this habit.
Lord please, train our hearts for joy! We don’t want to be stuck in judgment.
Does anyone do a great job of basking in His grace instead of judging yourself?
If so, please send in the comments ways you have done this. Please and thank you.
Prayer for you and me: Lord, let us lay down judgment and pick up gratefulness. Let us see Your overabundant grace in everything. Grant us the wisdom to acknowledge Your presence and victory in all things. Train our hearts for joy. In Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.
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