I like the definition of grace given by Dallas Willard, “Grace is God acting in our lives to accomplish what we cannot do on our own.”

Of course, on top of the list is salvation; we cannot save ourselves from sin and get to heaven by our own merit. But in life there is a host of other things that we cannot do, which can only be done by God’s acting on our behalf.  Our sister Herwi’s experience of living with cancer is full of those moments.  Having been diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer for six years, she’s had moments when she thought it would be her last battle, the last one was a couple of months ago.  But God’s grace took over; she is now stronger.  Hallelujah!

We may not have experiences as dramatic as surviving cancer, but I am sure we all have had moments when we thought we could not do it anymore or could not go on anymore.  Perhaps we have given up on loving someone; we simply had run out of love.  Perhaps, we have given up hope that we will ever be in a better place, or that someone will change.  These are moments of grace, when God comes in and takes over something we cannot do on our own.

Once on a trip to Russia, Corrie ten Boom brought a suitcase full of Russian Bibles. As she stood in line, she saw how thoroughly the customs officers checked every suitcase, and that made her afraid.  She began imagining the worst scenarios: prison or sent back to Holland. So, she prayed over Jeremiah 1:12, “God watches over His Word to perform it.”  When she opened her eyes, she saw around her suitcase light beings; she knew that they were angels. When she stood in front of the officer, he asked her, “Is this your suitcase?  It is very heavy.”  He then said, “Since you are the last one to come through the line, I now have time to help you.  If you will follow me, I shall carry it for you out to your taxi.”  God’s amazing grace!

Pastor Paul