Receive Grace

I won't lie.

 

The last few weeks back have not been easy. It seems like everywhere I turn there are things around me that drag me down. People complaining about the weather, or about their classes. Often times I hear language I've never heard up until going to a university, and the adjectives they choose are quite ... deplorable.

 

My health has already been rapidly declining at the beginning of the semester. Though having only seven classes and working close to 20 hours a week, it is seeming nearly impossible (I have high respect for anyone who works and is a full time student!). Sleep is often interrupted and rarely has it been the amount that my body requires for it to function.  Mom will often tell us that when we don't get enough sleep or our health isn't the greatest, that's when everything can look its bleakest.

 

I write multiple pages in my journal at night in order to stay sane. If I wasn't a music major, I'd be an English major. I'm getting a minor in it, however. There is no way this girl could do a double major. :) (Wait, how does that fit in? Of yes, I was speaking of writing...)

 

[Believe God's word and power more than you believe your own feelings and experiences. Your Rock is Christ, and it is not the Rock which ebbs and flows, but your sea. --Samuel Rutherford]

This hasn't been the first time I've dealt with all this. Maybe it's life as a college student? Or maybe it's not, and God has to get me up to speed with the rest of mankind in maturity? Maybe I'll never know.

A year ago these things were even more acutely felt or faced, and I remember telling a friend while trying not to choke up that I wasn't sure if I'd make it. She gently advised me to be sure to spend time in God's Word, even if it meant listening to via audio on the way to school and back. Letting our minds and hearts absorb Truth has a way of cleansing, sanctifying, and strengthening who we are in Christ, who we are mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually.

And it's true. I love those last few verses in Jude. They are like an anchor to a ship that is being tossed about by the storms of life.

"But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. ...Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen."

While on the phone with my sister over lunch today, we were wrapping up our conversation as I had a music theory class to go to (got my first test back: a 93!) and she simply said, "Take the grace that God has given to you for today."

Take grace.

That means the same thing as receiving grace. Just in the same way as someone offers you hand lotion after blurbing out loud that your hands are dry and you have none, or gives you a birthday gift, or comes into your office and hands you a cup of coffee awith a blueberry scone, or sends you $20 in the mail "just because." Someone has offered something, and you are the given the choice to either refuse it or receive it.

My friends, receive grace from the Giver of grace in whatever situation you find yourself in. He promises to give it to us.

"Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work." 2 Thessalonians 2:16 and 17