I came across the expression ... Running into Grace and I was intrigued. Wow, these three little words pack a powerful punch.
In life, we have so many opportunities to hear, read and exchange stories of life-changing experiences that happen because of God’s grace. Your walk of faith may have started when you were a child, during your teens or early adulthood, or maybe your journey of faith is fresh and new. No matter when or how you came to faith in Jesus isn’t it amazing to know that each day is filled with the opportunity to take baby steps towards your growth in grace? “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever” (2 Peter 3:18).
If it wasn’t for grace, where would we be when seemingly insurmountable obstacles and hurdles trip us up and bring us to our knees? “But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me” ( 2 Corinthians 12:9).
If it wasn’t for grace, where would we go when unexpected detours cause us to lose our bearings leaving us searching for direction? “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).
If it wasn’t for grace, what would we do when we reach the end of ourselves, when our tank is running on empty? “May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word” (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17).
If it wasn’t for grace, how would we endure to the end, no matter the battering, bruising or blisters, knowing it’s worth everything if a single soul is brought to Jesus through the testimony of our transparent and joyful journey? “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace” (Acts 20:24).
It’s all grace! God’s grace enables us to run the race with perseverance because our strength is made perfect in weakness through Christ Jesus! We also gain encouragement by linking arms with our brothers and sisters who are travelling with us. As we fix our eyes on Jesus imagine the cheers of those gone before us. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1). “And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast” (1 Peter 5:10).
So, let us press on and run the race into God’s ever-loving arms of grace.
