October 21, 2009

“God, your God, will cut away the thick calluses on your heart and your children’s hearts, freeing you to love God, your God, with your whole heart, and soul, and live, really live.” Deut. 30:6 The Message

The One who never gives up …

God has never become callused over your broken promises with yourself .. others .. or Him. Even though you’ve broken His heart .. He has never given up. His story is ancient. He promised a group of deeply-loved-desert-wanderers that He would cut away the thick scars of their lives so that they could live free lives loving Him. He didn’t have to do it. He could have made them earn it or made it a reward for good works. But He didn’t … and still doesn’t invite us with hidden agendas. He really does want you to live free in His love and live a life that reflects His life-promise. Jesus still invites you to learn the radical life of grace. It is over four thousand years old and it is still  beyond our comprehension that God loves us unconditionally. He has never been indifferent about the issues in your life. He just wants you to be whole in his life and in his love. He won’t force you. His love is irresistible but not unrefusable. Jesus is the life of unforced grace. He offers it to you freely today exactly where you are in your life. AND better still … He will live this life in you today. God wants you to really live the life He has created for you to live. And Jesus says you will learn to live freely and lightly if you will keep company with Him today. His offer is still wide-open and unconditional for anyone yearning to be free and live a life of love .. God-loved. It only takes a moment…

“Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matt. 11:30 The Message

Ken Chester: Grace-Gripped is sent M-F to Callused-Freed Followers of Jesus and friends of Priority One (ken@priorityone.org)