How vital is grace in your life?

Often, we think of grace as a prayer we offer before meals. You always heard at our dinner table growing up, "Whose turn is it to say grace?"

Grace has many definitions. It can mean: smooth and elegant movement; showing courtesy and politeness; or a period allowed for the repayment of a debt. In Christian belief, it can refer to the unrestricted and unwarranted favor of God.

Whether you believe in God (as I do) or not, grace has many benefits in your life. It can impact:

1. Personal Development - Grace can encourage you to be a better person. It can enable you to be stronger mentally, physically, and emotionally, which will help you become your best self.

2. Relationships - Grace will lead you to being kinder and gentler with yourself and others. It will allow you to see life through the eyes of another.

3. Responsibility - Grace fosters empathy and integrity toward others. You treat others the way you would want to be treated and understand their different beliefs and values. Notice, I said understand, not agree. You may disagree with the way someone sees the world, but at least you know where they are coming from.

4. Spiritual Development - If you are a person of faith, grace is the support that allows you to grow in God and develop a closer relationship with Him.  

In The Habits of Being, American author Flannery O’Conner wrote, “All human nature vigorously resists grace because grace changes us, and the change is painful.”

As a person of faith, grace is something that is freely offered to me by my Creator to have a better and deeper relationship with Him. I don't have to earn it; it's generously provided, without restraint.

So, why don't many of us, myself included from time to time, resist this precious gift of God's grace?

Since grace isn't something we can earn, many of us feel we aren't worthy of it, that somehow, we aren't good enough to possess this attribute that brings us closer to our Creator. If we were more pious, penitent, or suffered more, we might be suitable for the grace God offers us. But since we aren't, we decide we shouldn't be afforded God's grace.

I once had a friend who was dying in hospice care. He texted me, "Terry, I don't think I've suffered enough to make it into heaven." I responded by reminding him that we can't suffer our way into paradise. Jesus already did the suffering. It's our belief in Him that allows Him to wash away our sins with His blood.  

What would your life look like, how would you be improved, if you accepted yourself, flaws and all, and understood that despite your shortcomings, receiving God's grace would allow you to be kinder, more empathetic, more patient, and more at peace?

By your humanity, God knows you are imperfect. As a result, He unconditionally provides you with His spirit of grace to bring you closer to Him. All you have to do is receive it. It's literally that simple.

Please leave me a comment about your thoughts on what it means to have grace and how it can benefit your life. Your opinions and perspectives are valuable, and I’d appreciate hearing from you.