"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so
that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every
good work."
I excitedly shared this verse found in 2 Corinthians 9:8
with a room full of Kids Ministry volunteers this past Sunday in our
pre-service meeting. I energetically reminded them that God was giving us all
that we needed to serve well that morning and make an impact on the Kingdom. I
encouraged them that God's grace was making up for all of our shortcomings, and
that we would make it through the day victoriously. I had read it the a few
nights before, and something about it truly resonated inside of me. I had a wow
moment with Jesus where I couldn't help but be in awe at the offer he was
extending me. He makes all grace abound to ME so that I have more than enough
to do every good thing he is asking of ME. I love being on this side of God's
favor. It's so great to be the grace-getter.
The other side of grace is the one that I'm still learning.
Being the grace-giver just isn't as fun to me yet. Thankfully, I have some
awesome grace-givers in my life to how me the ropes. The first one would have
to be my fiancé. If someone knows how to be gracious, its this guy. He
graciously sacrifices time and energy to serve me. He freely believes the best
about me before I've proven myself to him. The second grace giver(s) would have
to be my parents. Talk about some unmerited, undeserved favor. These people are
full of grace. Another grace giver in my life is my boss. Y'all. I have been
SICK in this season of life including this week and he has been so gracious to
position me to recover and rest. I am surrounded by gracious people. Here are
some characteristics of amazing grace givers:
1. Amazing grace givers believe the best. If you want to be
an amazing grace giver, you have to learn what it means to extend the benefit
of the doubt. The quickest way to quench grace is to be a suspicious person,
full of criticism and doubt. Maybe the other person doesn't deserve it, but
hello, thats why it's called grace.
2. Amazing grace givers live in humility. It's easier to be
gracious when you realize the grace that has been extended to you. It's easier
to extend grace when you realize that you need it just as bad. Last time I
checked, the world wasn't created to bend over backwards in order to serve me.
In fact...
3. Amazing grace givers are servant-hearted. When we live
our lives willing to be poured out for others, grace just flows out naturally
as well. Start looking for people to extend help to throughout the day. Bless
them with grace.
4. Amazing grace givers don't get easily offended. One of
the biggest enemies of grace is offense. Offended people often close their
hearts in self-pity. Closed hearts = no grace flow.
5. Amazing grace givers don't run out of grace. When we are
extending grace from the source of grace, we can never run out. I'm thankful
God's grace gives second, third, and sixtieth chances. I'm thankful God doesn't
hold out on me. I want to give grace like that.
So, next time you hear Amazing Grace, stop and ask yourself
if you are a source of that amazing grace. It's part of the reason you are
here... to introduce God's grace to the world.
