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  • Writer's pictureCathy Garland

Gracefull Perfection

If you're waiting for what you need to start what God has called you to, you'll miss the timing.


Grace comes in the perfected moment of our need and not a single moment before.

Remember the scene in the movie, "Indiana Jones And The Search For The Holy Grail" when Harrison Ford must go on to save his dying father, but the chasm in front is impossible to cross? (The scene is entitled "Leap Of Faith" and can be found here.) His only guide says he must walk across in mid-air—trusting not his eyes but his guide (his father's journal). The hidden path only appears when his foot must make contact or he plunges to his death.


God's grace is similar...it comes the moment we take the plunge.


We step first, then grace swoops in to rescue us or reveal to us what God has provided. I think it must be so we have the joy of His support and the confidence that He came through and will do so in the future. And perhaps so we can grow in humility as the one in need of rescue.


I find the grace of God comes when we are called both to do something and to stop doing something. God's grace is absolutely necessary when God asks us to give up something or stop a bad habit or end an addiction. Too often, when God asks us to stop something, we hem and haw, pointing to our lack—we can't find what we need inside ourselves. But we're not supposed to!


If we wait for what we lack to appear before we take the step, we wait in vain. Or worse, we attempt to dredge it up via self-help resources (not that they are all junk—just most are!).


When discipling new Christians, there is sometimes (on the part of the counselor or counseled) a tendency to want to deal with every area of baggage/habits/addiction. I counsel NOT to deal with anything that is non-sin-related or non-dangerous. I counsel instead to prepare and wait until God puts His finger on the area. Then, when He wishes to deal with something, we can respond quickly in trust that He will reveal Himself—His character, grace, glorious riches, power—to heal what is needed to change, let go, be transformed, etc.


Trust is what we need. Trust comes when we know and love the One Who Helps Us. Then, in the perfected moment of our need, He will reveal Himself and set our feet upon the rock.


Grace enables the journey.


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