The Gift of Grace

Have you ever seen or heard something that just made you feel like, “There’s more there. I’m not sure what, but there is.”

For the past couple weeks, I have seen the number 5 in a sequence of 3. Random moments when I look at the clock, I have seen “5:55”. The second time I saw it, I stopped to think for a bit, but eventually shrugged it off and went about my merry way. However, the third and fourth time – well, it did more than get my attention. And now here I am, writing this very random blog post…

This morning, I reached over to grab my phone off the nightstand. I looked at the time. At this point, I am pretty sure I don’t have to tell you what time it was. My friend, it was indeed 5:55 on the dot. 

Coincidence or chance? I think not. Coded message? Absolutely! 

The human brain processes things based on our five senses – sight, hearing, taste, smell, touch. Now, I am by no means an expert in neurology (i.e., biology of the brain), but I do know this – as we develop, our perception and the way we process things may change. While these changes take place based on what we learn and experience, the stimuli and pathways used to deliver the message remain constant.  

I believe if we learned to be still, to engage ourselves fully in every moment, we would notice that some of the biggest, life-changing messages are delivered in the smallest ways. I have found that these are moments where my emotions get quiet and God speaks the loudest. 

The number 5 is symbolic of the GRACE and GOODNESS OF GOD. Yes, grace. Free, undeserved, unmerited, unearned…GRACE. 

Grace is a gift of love from a Heavenly Father who, in His infinite eternal wisdom, knew that we would never be able to cleanse ourselves. That we would never be able to cross every “t” and dot every “i”. That we would never be able to strive or perform ourselves to the point of perfection. That no moral compass or works could draw us to a closer relationship with Him OR each other. 

Grace is available to all through a Savior, Jesus Christ. The one who knew no sin. The one who submitted Himself to the greatest sacrifice that this world has ever witnessed. The one whose blood was shed, who died, but rose on the third day with all power in His hands. 

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9, KJV

So, what does all this mean? It means that grace is available to you. 

For years, I struggled with feelings of not being good enough. Feelings of wanting to be loved, at any cost. Religion taught me that performance is necessary to be loved. Not so! Because God IS love! Relationship with Jesus is EVIDENCE of His eternal love and grace. 

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 3:16, KJV

On December 8, 2019, I preached my initial sermon, “Case Closed: Evidence of His Grace on Display.” 

Prior to that day, I ran away from the thought of being used by God for years. I didn’t feel worthy to carry His Word, much less deliver it to an audience of people who had likely experienced the same levels of brokenness, hurt, and pain that I had. But in a dream, approximately one month prior to my initial sermon, he reminded me of His unfailing grace… 

In my dream, I was in a church building. There were people there I recognized, and some I didn’t recognize. I was sitting down, and saw my mom approach the pulpit/platform at the front of the church. She got to the microphone, and stated that she was there to introduce the speaker/preacher, me. As my mom walked to her seat, I approached the pulpit.

I made my way up, I looked down at my hand, and in it was one small piece of paper. Surely, these were the notes that I had prepared to deliver the message. To my surprise, the only thing I had written down on this paper was “John 3:16”. Seriously, that is all that was on the paper.

When I finally got to the pulpit, I placed the paper on the podium. I spoke into the microphone, something along the lines of, “Well, the only note that I have for this message today is John 3:16, so I am going to allow the Holy Spirit to do the talking…” 

God showed me that I am not only a recipient of His grace, but a steward of it. And so are you.   

My prayer is that you say yes to the awesome gift of grace. Say yes to Jesus. Not a religious “friend with benefits” or “I’ll do it when I feel like it” yes. But a “I’m totally submitted and committed” YES. He has so much in store for you. The more is on the other side of your total yes.