Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (JN 8:32)

Living

Friday, Feb 10, 2012

The Pace of Grace

0
November 1, 2008|12:45 pm

Read: Romans 5:1-5

. . . this grace in which we stand. (v. 2)

I was reading about Spiritual Direction when I came across a phrase that stopped me in my tracks. It was a quote from a writer named Susan Muto, who said there is always the danger of wanting to "push ourselves beyond the pace of grace."

I can so easily be driven by our fast-paced, achievement-oriented, technology-dependent society and its pressure to get ahead. But when I move at the pace of grace, the gifts of God that are given in the moment determine both what I am to do and the speed of doing them. When I am attentive to what God is doing I will want to join in the divine action. Prayer is how I exercise that attentiveness.

I love the biblical metaphor of walking with God. Yet I find myself running a lot. The danger is that I run ahead, not letting God set the pace. Sometimes the tempo can be fast, sometimes slow, demanding much patience. The important thing is that I am learning to move with God.

In prayer we get tuned to the providence of God. Through the personal practice of prayer Christ becomes our companion. Then we walk with him, not running ahead or lagging behind. Prayerfully, we live at the "pace of grace."

Like us on Facebook

Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, be my pace setter today. Amen.

Used with Permission

0
Top Stories

New FRC Report Finds 162 Reasons to Marry

To celebrate National Marriage Week, Family ...

Clergy Group Pushes Darwinism as Sound Science in 'Evolution Weekend'

More than 500 churches in ten different countries have agreed to consider this weekend whether Darwinism is compatible with Christianity, as a result of the prompting of The Clergy Letter Project, a group promoting Darwinism as sound science.

Legal Expert Informed White House Law Is Unclear on Contraception Mandate

Lawsuits over the Obama administration's ruling ...

City Council in Iowa in Talks to Bring Prayer Back to Meetings

A religious organization in Iowa is hoping to bring prayer back to city council meetings after the practice was dropped earlier this year.

Religious Leaders Supporting Md. Gay Marriage Bill Cherry Picked

Gay rights advocates have drawn a select group of religious leaders to support gay marriage in Maryland ahead of Friday's hearing for the "marriage equality" bill.

Santorum: Marriage 'Saved My Life,' Inspired Faith in God

After winning the GOP primary in three different ...

Crystal Cathedral to See Name Change, New Design

Crystal Cathedral, the Garden Grove, Calif., ...