Grow in Grace {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP}

Bethany McIlrath — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 09:06:00 +0000

As a new mom, a friend of mine regularly reported sleeplessness. Sipping hot drinks while her infant alternated between fussing and sleeping, she told me how it had occurred to her one late, loud night that her baby was doing his job:

He was growing.

The sweet little guy didn’t understand what was happening as his adorable cheeks filled out and squirming legs got longer. He didn’t have any way to communicate his needs or frustrations except for fussing.

Listening to her gentle wisdom and his soft murmurs as he settled into her arms, it struck me that my growing is often done with kicking and tears too.

Growth is uncomfortable. Change, though we long for it, is jarring while it happens.

Growth is uncomfortable. Change, though we long for it, is jarring while it happens. But with God, we get grow in grace.
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As God’s own children, though, we are invited to:

“Grow in grace.” –2 Peter 3:18

It’s striking that this is God’s invitation.

More often, we presume He’d like us to:

Grow in guilt.
Grow in obligation.
Grow in fame.
Grow in perfection.
Grow in contentment.

We tend to act as if God doesn’t know it takes some adjusting to walk on longer legs. As if He isn’t aware it takes some time to get used to new routines when we lose a loved one, move, or say “yes” to a different opportunity to serve Him.

To us, grace is reserved for the “no”s of life, not the “yes”s.

Fail in grace.
Resign in grace.
Settle in grace.
Pretend in grace.
Backpeddle in grace.

But again, we face the wonderful truth.

God says:

“Grow in grace.” –2 Peter 3:18

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But Jesus… {Recharge Wednesday LinkUp}

Bethany McIlrath — Wed, 16 Feb 2022 11:55:04 +0000

There were big things to do.

There throngs willing to listen who needed to hear.

There were disciples seeking training and teaching.

“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” –Luke 5:16

There were people to heal.

There were lost souls to share the Gospel with.

There were places to get to, people to avoid, people to save.

“But Jesus called the children to him and said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.’” –Luke 18:16

There were false accusations.

There was so much to explain to save the day.

There were loved ones, true believers, looking on confused and despairing.

“But Jesus gave no answer.” –Luke 23:9

When I think “But Jesus,” I’m usually calling for His might and strength and power. I want to share that there was a big challenge- but Jesus overcame it. Or that I had a big question- but Jesus gave the answer.

But Jesus often doesn’t do what worldly wisdom says makes sense.

But Jesus often doesn’t do what worldly wisdom says makes sense.
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We’re called to live this kind of “but” too.

There is the temptation to aim for greatness.

There is the suggestion that greatness means we can do more for Jesus.

There is a false belief that God’s main goal for us is to feel great.

“But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.” –Luke 22:26

There is a drive to always be improving on everything.

There is value placed on the new, changing, and evolving.

There is a dismissal of old ways as lesser and old convictions as ignorant.

“But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you.” –2 Timothy 3:14 (see 2 Timothy 4:5 also)

There is a myth that pursuing money is a necessary evil.

There is acceptance that discontent is a good motivator and lust an effective change-agent.

There is a push for flattery, pride, and selfishness being requirements for surviving this world.

“But you…flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness… Remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold.” –1 Timothy 6:11; Jude 1:17

In what ways is Jesus leading you to live differently? To go against your natural inclinations in order to be more like Him?
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{A version of this post was previously published here}

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