Grace and glory --- In our haste to accomplish, in our drive to complete goals, in the "proving" of ourselves in the midst of other untold numbers of minions ...that we truly; are above all others, "we are up to the task" ... Do we even begin to look for the Greater Good (let alone the greatest good)?
What if the goal or task assigned has not been analyzed for timing? What if it wasn't weighed for its placement amidst the full purpose of the Big Picture? Was it even scrutinized for the potential loss in pushing to completion with out all the perspectives considered.
Have you ever gotten some where before or after the moment of critical need because the task was more important than knowing when to deliver, or why to pull the plug.
I was so proud of myself; I got home quickly to spend so joyfully anticipated "fun" time with a precious visiting second generation miracle, and yet kept in the back of my mind a critical endeavor..."the task" ... that would fall on that particular evening (or was it that evening). I would get it done with speed, with accuracy, with finesse, and with an exemplary attitude. All would be so proud of me, even I would be able to give myself an Atta boy.
There was that special hug, kiss, walk to the car, gentle seating placement, smiles, waves, blown kisses and a mouthed "I love you!" ... As the car vanished out of sight, the back of the mind raced forward and kicked all the gears into alignment and full cylinders into motion ... Full steam ahead. Even before dinner was ready and the night was destined for the wind down, I had succeeded ... I was the victor. (But even this story timeline is skewed by the blur of an embarrassing turn of events).
The next evening (or was it the next evening?) as I pulled into the palace drive, I was stunned by the irreverence of the second string team's failure to complete their task. Had they done their job it would have triggered bountiful accolades in my direction, and no doubt would have acknowledged the completion of my task as more than.. "well done".
Infuriated by the failure of others and challenged by the Duchess, I lifted the Royal communication device into action and began to proudly announce to the primary responsibility holder ... my success in achieving my goal and the failure of "them" to keep their part of the team effort. Then I heard the most disturbing news delivered from the receiver end of the communication device "Thursday is your pick up day, if you had put it out Wednesday night we would have seen it Thursday morning, but it wasn't there, if it was we would have picked it up"...
A mistake on my part? ... Unheard of! ... Never in the life of ME, but all of a sudden I was overwhelmed with the fateful truth ... I put the receptacle out on Thursday night, and it was now Friday. I was mistaken about what day it was. Holy flies and cloudy skies! The team hadn't failed, I had; all because of a failure to truly acknowledge the critical timing. NOTE: I still do not have the timing of events right -- Too much focus on a task can be devastating to the order of the journey.
Now Grace and Glory... NO HASTE- What are the reality of these and where do they come from? Please do not try to define these without God in the mix, and let's not just spout an answer to get the "quiz question out of the way", so that we can say that we knew that! To do this would cheapen the GIFT.
First - Grace and Glory are permissive, progressive gifts that bring His reputation and power into focus in our lives and through our lives. They are GIFTS FROM HIM.
Second - Grace and Glory will be more and more evidenced as we desire to be "still praising Him" in His Kingdom, and yet while walking this planet... leaving wells of Hope in the Valleys of weeping (for there are many).
Third - Grace and Glory show others that He is our Sun and Shield... and we have no qualms living in the threshold of the Kingdom.
Now let's see what is in the treasure chest of Grace -- Grace is our source for a gracious and elegant walk in this world that will shine that HE LOVES US. Oh what a supply is here, but remember to be a flowing stream and not a stagnant self serving pond. As He pours this care and kindness through us ... This is where favor and influence grows. It will be sensed by all around us that we are "Accepted in the beloved" because we are satisfied with being completed by our God. This Grace abounds!
Step over and peer into the vibrant, transparent, vessel of Glory --- Here you will find the splendor and elegance of Heaven reflected and refracted over and over in such a way that it invites others to taste of the honor filled dignity, and abundant riches of the life that openly longs for Jesus and overtly loves on others for His sake. This glory is evidenced in its simple soothing "song of a soul set free" that that adorns the life that has joyously decided to follow Jesus. This Glory exudes!
Quit focusing so blind sidedly on the tasks ahead as "your" chance at grace and glory. Realize that He gives Grace and Glory without reservation ... so that all good things needed to run this race to the victory are never withheld as we live complete in Him.
"For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly. O Lord of Hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in Thee." Psalm 84:11,12
Don't miss trash day by making it an Olympic Medal Event!
Live Tawmeam (upright - Complete)!
Live Shalowm! (Peace - Whole)
Jesus is our ALL, in Him we are complete and whole!
HLFA,
Jeff