9But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9
Perhaps the reason why we have such a hard time giving grace is that we’re not very good at receiving it ourselves.
Paul was praying about a continual problem he faced – his “thorn in his flesh.” In a letter to his friends at Corinth, he wrote that God answered his prayer and said: “My grace is sufficient (always more than enough for you), and my power is made perfect (finds its full expression) through your weakness.” He went on to say: “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of (celebrate) my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me (I sense more deeply the power of Christ living in me).” (2 Cor 12:9).
If grace is enough, why do we strive? Why do we try to pay back the gift? Why do we continue to live and say, “I’m not worthy!” when Jesus’ life and death and resurrection shows us that it was never a matter of whether we are worthy, but whether we will receive what he freely gives.
Grace. A gift. Given freely. To you.
When we begin to allow ourselves to receive grace, forgiveness, mercy—when we accept them vulnerably and humbly into our lives and hearts, we will find the giving of grace to be an overflow of what we’ve been given. The humility in being forgiven and receiving grace empowers us to extend it to others.
After all, grace, at its heart, is revolutionary. It seeks to undermine the dominant pattern of oppression and control, scarcity and dualism, and says that it is enough, you aren’t enough, but God IS enough. In Him, you are enough.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you that Your strength is stronger than my weakness. Help me to receive the free gifts of grace, forgiveness, and mercy humbly, which sustain me in my weakness. Help me to fully extend that same grace to others. Amen.
Contributed by Tara Boehne