For by grace, you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. ~Ephesians 2:8-9
Do you choose a word for the year, or does the word choose you? I find the latter to be true for me.
Beginning of Christmas Eve, my husband, Danny, develops cold-like symptoms, but is able to make it through the candlelight service as we are scheduled to sing at church. His symptoms don't improve over the next several days, and we find ourselves at a reliable urgent care facility where he has gone previously.
The doctor runs several tests while we're there. Even though Danny has no fever and his oxygen levels are good, the test comes back positive for Covid. Oh, great! Now, I'm worried that I should be tested, too, but the doctor reassures us that she has seen lots of married couples over the years where one will get it and the other won't. Even though I'm having some drainage and a slightly runny nose, I decide to wait it out and see what happens in the subsequent days.
As we turn the car out of the medical office to head home, I spot a stand-alone store front with two large, eye-catching words in bright red: GRACE CHURCH. A retail establishment that once conducted worldly business is now inviting people into doing God's business on earth.
The word "grace" jumps out at me and gives me pause: Could this be my word for the year, Lord? I decide, as I do with the Covid test, to give it some time. But I can't help but notice how often the word turns up in the first days of the new year.
My daily devotional for the year is New Morning Mercies by Paul David Tripp. On January 1st and 3rd, this is what Tripp says about grace: He (God) did this (sent Jesus) so that you would not only be forgiven for your allegiance to your own glory, but have every grace you need to live for his. And - The God of eternity grants you his eternal grace so that you can live with eternity in view.
And sandwiched in between, on January 2nd, Pastor Bill Grandi who blogs at Living in the Shadow writes the following: The best gift ever given was God's redeeming grace. Sin loses its power when stacked against that.
Coincidence? I think NOT! Grace is precisely the word God wants me to ponder throughout 2025. I can't earn grace. I don't deserve it. None of us can or do. But we can all rejoice each day, giving God the glory, knowing His grace is enough. Always!
Great is your faithfulness, oh, God
You wrestle with the sinner's heart
You lead us by still waters and to mercy
And nothing can keep us apart.
So remember Your people
Remember Your children
Remember Your promise, oh, God
Your grace is enough, Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough for me.
~Matt Maher
