Lighting Up Our City Video 4: Building Bridges Not BarriersSample

What is grace? It’s a term we often hear in church circles, but what does it truly mean?

Most often, grace is defined as “the unmerited favor of God.” For some, that definition may resonate, but for me, it doesn’t say enough. Like Paul, a Jewish convert to Christianity and a leader in the early church, I believe I am the least of those God has called because of the poor choices I have made throughout my life, including sinking into the depths of alcohol addiction.

So, how might I define God’s grace, based upon my own experiences? I would say grace is God’s unfailing, unconditional, patient, merciful love for me. He never let me go, even when I turned my back on Him. He reached out His hand and rescued me. He will do the same for you.

What am I called to do with this grace? How might I share this unfailing, unconditional, merciful love with others?

For Paul, even though he believed he was “the least of the apostles and [did] not even deserve to be called an apostle,” he chose to share the good news of Jesus and His grace with others. I believe that I, too, am called to share the grace that God has given to me with those in my path.

But how do I do this? By openly and honestly sharing my story with others. By saying, like Paul did, I am here only because of “the grace of God that was within me.”

What is your story? What is God calling you to share? Will you trust in His grace and love for you, then willingly share that with someone else?

God will do the heavy lifting; we only need to be open and ready.

By Teresa Baumbach