Taxing things related to April 15. Medical things related to annual appointments for mammograms, migraines, and Scout camps. Planning the logistics for our upcoming ladies retreat for which I am in charge of the tech/media stuff. Bible Study - Revelation this week! Chaperoning UIL contests. And on and on and on.
One thing not on my list is breathing. But maybe it should be. Because a book I finally read this week (after having it for months!) reminded me of the importance of this.
Not breathing oxygen (although I don't recommend the cessation of that anytime soon!), but the breathing of grace.
Harry Kraus, MD, a missionary physician in Africa, has penned some great words in his book Breathing Grace: What You Need More Than Your Next Breath. And he did relate it to our physical respiratory system. Just as we don't say "Well, oxygen brought me to life at birth but I can get along without it now," grace is something we need daily. In his introduction he says,
So why is spiritual famine an epidemic both inside and outside the church? Because although we've come to Christ by recognizing grace, few of us have carried it along as essential equipment on the Christian path. We give mental assent to the truth of the gospel message, but we live our lives in famine, as if we could earn God's favor. We are God's children, but our souls are dry.From lack of "oxygen" (grace) to spiritual emphysema, anemia, and resuscitation, he shows how we cannot afford to go through our days without life-sustaining grace, both breathing it in and breathing it out.
Yep, he stepped on my toes a few times. Good books with truth in their pages tend to do that!
BTW, you don't need a medical background to read and apply this book. Any medical illustrations are thoroughly explained. (And they will give you a renewed appreciation for the wondrous intricacies of the human body which God created.)
Grace. I can't live without it, and yet some days I completely ignore it. And still He offers it!
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. II Peter 3:18
Amen! Grace is one of the most beautiful words there is! But you need to stop making me want to read so many of those books you often refer to. I can't possibly keep up. And as for your schedule, I feel your pain. I was just thinking about blogging on the same subject. It's just too early in the week to be this tired!:)
ReplyDeleteKelli
Oh that is so good Linda, Thanks for the great reminder. For me I need to stop taking His spiritual gifts for granted.I am so Blessed:)
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Deb
What a great analogy...sounds like an interesting read...
ReplyDeleteHave a good day my friend..
Lisa
You're so right, Linda! God's grace is what I'm most thankful for. What an amazing thing.
ReplyDeleteOur entire faith is rooted in the concept of grace...and yet we forget to claim that gift on a daily basis! Great post!
ReplyDeleteXandra
Our entire faith is rooted in the concept of grace...and yet we forget to claim that gift on a daily basis! Great post!
ReplyDeleteXandra
I am so thankful that He still offers it! This was such a blessing!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind comment on my CWO Cafe post!
And GRACE is what I depend on when I fail or fall short! It's so much better to praise Him for His grace in my life than to spend a single minute punishing myself. If He forgives me, so should I! Sounds like a great book!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing that quote by Harry Kraus, Linda. All too often, I'm afraid there a lot of truth in that.
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