How is it already August? As we start a new month, I want you to think back on July. Did you mess up? Did you intentionally lie to someone, say something you regret, or make a huge mistake that you don’t even want to talk about? The ways that we’ve messed up in the past month are probably innumerable, and we are in constant need of God’s grace.
Author Bob Goff says, “Grace is like the sunrise: it’s there for us every day, whether we choose to enjoy it or not.” The first time I read these words, I was encouraged by their truth. Since I connect easily and deeply with God in nature, whenever I see a sunrise, I think about how faithfully God loves us. Without fail, the sun comes up day after day after day, reminding us that God continuously offers us a new beginning, a clean slate, and the gift of grace, His unmerited favor.
At work, at school, and even at home, the world we live in is very much merit-based. If you perform and do well, you get a raise or an award. Although we live in a system that rewards excellence, God’s grace is something we cannot earn. Because of our sinful nature, we will never be “good enough.” Grace is this countercultural idea that invites us to receive God’s favor even when we don’t deserve it! For all those times you’ve messed up, whether today, in the past month, or even years ago, God’s grace is waiting for you and for me. He desires for us to come to Him so we can receive grace upon grace.