Friday in the Fourth Week of Lent

You are Worthy!

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.1 Corinthians 15:10

The subject of grace has been one of the most difficult things for me to wrap my head around in my walk with Christ. It's always seemed to be too easy and, paradoxically, too hard. Even lately it's been getting under my skin—I keep thinking that my past makes me unworthy of God's use, or if I accomplish something for Christ, it will be my own effort that makes it happen. But God keeps reminding me that I'm not seeing the whole picture. It is God's grace that makes me worthy of his use. Despite what I've done, it's this same grace that accomplishes things and not my own strength.

Paul explains it best in 1 Corinthians 15:10. He's describing how Christ died for our sins, was buried for three days, and was witnessed by the apostles when he was raised. I'm paraphrasing Paul, when suggesting what his comments may sound like today.

"Way after all the original apostles saw Christ when he was raised from the dead, I saw him too. When I think about it, it really doesn't make sense, because I am just not worthy of it. I've done a lot of crappy things like persecuting others for their beliefs. But wait! What I am now is different than what I was. And I am now worthy. This isn't because of how hard I have worked—which is a lot harder than everyone else—but it's because God chose to pour his grace over my life. So I'm really not the one doing any of this, it's Christ in me."

These last sentences are the key as Paul realizes that the only reason he is who he has become is because of the Father's grace. And he understands that his effort would be meaningless if it weren't covered by grace. Nothing that we do will amount to anything if God's grace is not present in and over our lives. Think of it like this: pens without ink are just useless pieces of plastic. You can scribble with them 'til your fingers turn blue, but they will not really leave a mark unless they are filled with ink. We are like those pens. We are pretty much useless until we are filled with God's grace and presence.

As you enter into the last leg of Lent, remember this and be encouraged: God has filled you with his grace and it has made you worthy and useful! If you let go of trying to make things happen with your own strength and really let God and his grace work through you, then what you do will truly be powerful. Why? Because when you decrease then God can increase.

Hayley Curlis

Prayer: O Holy Father, thank you for making me worthy by Christ's death and resurrection. Help me to receive your amazing grace today. In Jesus' Name. Amen.