Writer’s block is defined as a condition, primarily associated with writing, in which an author is unable to produce new work or experiences a creative slowdown. This creative stall is not a result of commitment problems or the lack of writing skills. The condition ranges from difficulty in coming up with original ideas to being unable to produce a work for years. Writer’s block is not solely measured by time passing without writing. It is measured by time passing without productivity in the task at hand. Wikopedia.
I certainly don’t consider myself an author of any famous work, however, I do enjoy writing and being asked to be a contributor to Divinely Driven Ministry made me feel famous! I am surrounded by women who are inspired by Holy Spirit to write about whatever he puts on their hearts. As I read their thought-provoking blogs, my mind becomes a movie screen turning their words into people, places and things. I can’t imagine these daughters of the King having writer’s block when their words lift up our Father, trust Jesus as their Savior and pen what Holy Spirit has whispered to them. For them, it appears to be an easy assignment the Spirit has planted in their hearts to share with others.
The subject of this current blog, which I truly believe is Holy Spirit inspired, has a name . . . but I am having much difficulty filling in the gaps from beginning to end However, the subject is not something that can be rushed. It requires Scripture references, historical data and my inept attempt to convey my experience over the last several months.
The mysterious subject is grace. How does one describe this divine gift so lovingly given to those who trust Christ?
Merriam Webster Dictionary briefly tells us the history and etymology (the origin of a word and the historical development of its meaning) of the word grace. It was first used as a noun in the 12th century. We currently define grace as benevolence favor, indulgence, kindness, mercy, and service to name a few. Sometime in 1585, it emerged as a verb such as adorn, array, beautify, decorate, emboss, pretty and more according to our Thesaurus.
But what about the grace that we, in Christendom, describe as unmerited divine assistance given to humans for their regeneration or sanctification; a virtue coming from God; a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine assistance, mercy and pardon.
In Gen. 6:8, we read where the first instance of grace is used in the Scripture.
But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. KJV
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance Heb/2603 reads, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to show favor, bestow, to show mercy, have pity upon. Several other versions use the word favor.
The last mention of this word is found in Rev. 22:21:
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen. Referring again to Strong’s Greek/5483, the definition turns to grant as a favor, gratuitously, in kindness, pardon or rescue, deliver, forgive.”
Somewhat different than the first mention in Genesis. Other than these two verses, there are several scriptures that mention grace or favor.
Let’s bring this information into our daily life. Is grace tangible? Can we physically feel it? Does it have a fragrance or color? How do we know when it is active and when it is still?
Rom. 3:22-24 says, This righteousness is given through faith in[a] Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. NIV
2 Cor. 12:9 reads, “But 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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. NIV
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV
I never meditated upon, or studied about, what it accomplishes in my daily life. Capturing the essence of grace in words is difficult, if not impossible, because it is of divine origin. I only know that my frustration, fatigue, impatience, lack of self-control, self-pity and other ugly characteristics seemed to suddenly evaporate and were replaced with love, gentleness, long-suffering, kindness, strength and compassion. I was coping, not just I became acutely aware of the change and wondered, “Is this God’s grace exchanging my weakness for His strength?”
I ashamedly remember thinking that I didn’t sign up for this and wished my life was totally mine again—and not having to live out the covenant I made seven years ago–. for better or worse, in sickness and health, until death do us part. How quickly our old nature raises its selfish head when we cease to surrender all to our Lord and ask that His will becomes our will. There are many others I know of whose walk seems impossible to me, but God’s grace carries them so much so that they are unconsciously Christlike.
While driving home from a meeting this morning and asking the Lord what I should write and how I should write it, this song began to play on my iPod . . . Were it Not for Grace by composers and lyricists David Hamilton and Phill McHugh. I believe this speaks for many of us.
Time measured out my days
Life carried me along
In my soul I yearned to follow God
But knew I’d never be so strong.
I looked hard at this world
To learn how heaven could be gained
Just to end where I began
Where human effort is all in vain.
[Chorus:]
Were it not for grace
I can tell you where I’d be
Wandering down some pointless road to nowhere
With my salvation up to me.
I know how that would go
The battles I would face
Forever running but losing this race
Were it not for grace.
So here is all my praise
Expressed with all my heart
Offered to the Friend who took my place
And ran a course I could not start.
And when He saw in full
Just how much His would cost
He still went the final mile between me and heaven
So I would not be lost.
