Where is God calling me to extend grace?

Romans 12:3-8

³ Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. ⁴ Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, ⁵ so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.

⁶ In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. ⁷ If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. ⁸ If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

As bodies are my business, I feel I should have some profound thoughts on us working cohesively as a Body of Faith. But what I am thinking of is the grace that is needed by other parts of the body when one part breaks down. If I break my ankle then other parts of me must work harder (arms and shoulders for crutches, the other leg and my vestibular system for balance) until things are better. Those parts extend ‘grace’ to my ankle for as long as is needed.

Where can I extend grace towards my brothers and sisters in Christ? How can I help another to be the very best person that God created them to be? Where is God calling me to extend grace today? It is too easy to be judgmental or offended when we perceive someone not ‘pulling their weight’. When our human bodies break down there are systems in place to help us recover. If our spiritual bodies have a problem, then I want to be part of the solution for that too. Paul says it is ‘by grace’, he doesn’t say it’s easy!!

Thank you, God that you saw fit to save a sinner like me. Help me to use the abilities and gifts you have given me to be a blessing to others and the church. Help me Lord to have a heart of Grace, not a spirit of judgement. In Jesus Name. Amen

Written by Christine Knight