As I begin 2010, I am overwhelmed by God’s grace and compassion.
I may at times think myself as wholly good, kind, and benevolent, but I know who I really am. Many times I justify or defend my actions and responses, but my motives are quite clear to me. I am capable of lies and thus at times seek to deceive, but the truth seems to find me out. While I may be a man who tries to do good, love others, and live the truth, I fall short and thus must continually look to and rely upon the grace and compassion of God.
As I look back on the preceding years, I see God’s grace and compassion continually under-girding and carrying my life. His grace and compassion form the basis upon which I have been able to go to school, do productive work, relate to others, and serve higher purposes. A self-made or self-sufficient man cannot admit such. But I cannot boast of such sufficiency. Not to acknowledge God’s care in my life is to act as though all I have is due to my own innate ability, my goodness, or my design. I certainly do not understand the ways of God’s grace and compassion, but I can and must acknowledge their presence in my life.
As I enter the New Year, I look to God’s grace and compassion to sustain me.