Grace and Compassion

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.