God's Grace Button

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33 NIV)

You are probably familiar with Staples Office Supply's "Easy Button."  Have a problem or a need?  Hit the "easy button" and everything is taken care of and then with a sigh you can say, "That was easy!"

A lot of Christians think God is supposed to be their "easy button" for life.  A problem?  Hit the right button  and problem solved.  The trick is to find that right button for the right situation.  Maybe it is using the exact right words in your prayers.  Or maybe you need to be sure you are attending the right church or voting for the right political party.  Maybe your problem requires fasting.  If you could just find the right button the cancer would go away or your spouse would come back or you'd get that job.  But guess what... God doesn't have an "easy button," so quit searching for it.

What God does have is a "Grace Button."  Overwhelmed?  Hit the grace button, and you can feel God  ease the pressure.  Afraid?  *beep!*  Get courage for the scary path ahead.  Weary?  *beep!*  Get strength to keep on fighting.  Need forgiveness?  *beep!*  Fresh slate!  And you don't have to search for that grace button.  It's always right there in front of you.  Sometimes you have words to ask; sometimes you just have to let the Holy Spirit ask for you.  But it's always there just for the taking.  

You can never hit the grace button too often.  There is always an endless supply at your fingertips.  The problems won't miraculously go away.  They have to be worked through or sometimes just accepted for what they are.  But God gives us the courage, strength and whatever else we need to face them.  

Unlike the users of Staples' "Easy Button,"  we probably won't every say, "That was easy!"  But we will be able to say, "It wasn't easy, but with God's grace, I got through it!"  That is so much more satisfying!

Father,

Give us grace for whatever difficulties lie in our paths today.  Help us to know that you are with us through it all.  Amen.

Joys:  chatting with Richard and enjoying the photos he posted this morning; fresh fruit for breakfast; cooler days