And Stephen, full of grace and power…
Acts 6:8
There is no power without grace first. We must come to the understanding that "Every good and perfect gift comes from above," (James 1:17), and that God has "Given us everything pertaining to life and godliness," (2 Peter 1:3).
Our job is not to act so that we receive. We are to receive so that we can act. (I need to stop and soak these concepts in - you?)
Power to live the spiritual life is not in proving to God our faith and fortitude. Power for living is a gift of God to be received and acted upon - even when we don't "feel" like we've received. And that's the rub. Faith is "…the confidence in what we hope for, the assurance about what we do not see," (Hebrews 11:1).
Powerful grace doesn't come in a Price is Right sized package with candy-striped wrapping paper and neon bow. It is quiet; nearly silent. It is in the whisper of God as we spend time with him and join him in his mission. It is filling us; infusing every part of our soul and mind and heart.
"…EVERYTHING pertaining to life and godliness."
We can't live looking backwards, though many try… and stumble. However, it is good time-to-time, to stop and take a look down the path we've walked. What we notice, is that when we thought we could not take one more step; we did. When we thought our circumstance was the final straw; it wasn't. There was power for life. There was grace.
There is Grace and Power.
God, fill me with your grace and power. I will act, even if I'm unsure.
For now...
D
