Waves of Grace

The amazing thing to me about the ocean is that the waves never cease to come in.  I have never arrived at the beach, whether summer or winter, and found there were no waves.  Sometimes the waves are bigger than other times, but nevertheless, they continue to roll in.

In the beginning of the Gospel of John, the writer makes plain this truth:  “From Christ’s fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” (John 1:16)  Grace what a marvelous word.  Growing up I was always taught that God’s grace simply meant God’s unmerited love for us.  That is, we do nothing in and of ourselves to earn this grace; this acceptance.  God simply accepts us just as we are; with all our brokenness, pains, and fears.  We sing about grace being “amazing” and it certainly is.  It is amazing because it just keeps coming from the heart of God like the waves on the shore.

The late Brennan Manning, the author of the Ragamuffin Gospel, writes:

My trust in God flows out of the experience of his loving me, day in and day out, whether the day is stormy or fair, whether I’m sick or in good health, whether I’m in a state of grace or disgrace. He comes to me where I live and loves me as I am.

It is so easy for us to forget this truth.  Rather than allowing God’s grace to wash over us, we run from the waves of his grace like a frightened child uncertain about the ocean waves.  We forget that God’s grace is endless and ceaseless and God will not withhold it from anyone.  Even when we think we don’t need it, God’s grace still washes up on the shores of our lives.

I don’t know about you, but I have to remind myself every day of the reality of God’s grace.  I might not think about God, but God is always thinking about me and you.

So let’s keep reminding one another to hit the surf because there are some great waves of grace rolling in.