Glimpses of Grace: Treasuring the Gospel in your HomeSample
A Bucket of Ice Water Splashed Onto a Sleepy Soul
Have you ever wished away your life’s circumstances because they were getting in the way of “time with God?” I used to believe that this journey of sanctification—the adventure of God working in me, both to will and to work for his good pleasure—would only be accomplished when I am free from the “distractions” of my life.
As a result of my faulty thinking, I saw my roles as wife, mother, homemaker, and even minister of the gospel as things that detracted, or took away from, my spiritual life. That perspective ruled my day-to-day activities. For example, if I set my alarm clock to attempt to wake up before one of my babies and had my plans foiled, then I would think, “Well, there goes my communion with God today! How am I supposed to abide in Jesus now? Thanks a lot, ___!” But God’s work in our lives cannot be thwarted by the things he brings into our lives… quite the contrary, actually.
We need a wake-up call to see how abiding in Jesus cannot be restricted to an easy chair with a cup of hot coffee in a quiet house without any noise or clutter or life. We need to have our mind renewed according to the gospel. We often feel overwhelmed with the busy-ness of what is happening within the four walls of our home. But come circus or solitude, it makes no difference in the sufficiency of Christ to abide in you. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly today, and ask the Lord to keep your eyes of your heart open.
Have you ever wished away your life’s circumstances because they were getting in the way of “time with God?” I used to believe that this journey of sanctification—the adventure of God working in me, both to will and to work for his good pleasure—would only be accomplished when I am free from the “distractions” of my life.
As a result of my faulty thinking, I saw my roles as wife, mother, homemaker, and even minister of the gospel as things that detracted, or took away from, my spiritual life. That perspective ruled my day-to-day activities. For example, if I set my alarm clock to attempt to wake up before one of my babies and had my plans foiled, then I would think, “Well, there goes my communion with God today! How am I supposed to abide in Jesus now? Thanks a lot, ___!” But God’s work in our lives cannot be thwarted by the things he brings into our lives… quite the contrary, actually.
We need a wake-up call to see how abiding in Jesus cannot be restricted to an easy chair with a cup of hot coffee in a quiet house without any noise or clutter or life. We need to have our mind renewed according to the gospel. We often feel overwhelmed with the busy-ness of what is happening within the four walls of our home. But come circus or solitude, it makes no difference in the sufficiency of Christ to abide in you. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly today, and ask the Lord to keep your eyes of your heart open.
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About this Plan
Sometimes life feels a lot like a burden—day in and day out it’s the same chores and tasks, anxieties and responsibilities. So where is God in all of this? Does he care about the way we unload the dishwasher or balance the budget? Do the little things like changing diapers make a difference? We all need encouragement to see the reality of God’s grace in all of life.
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We would like to thank Gloria Furman, author of Glimpses of Grace, for providing this plan. For more information, please visit: www.crossway.org/books/glimpses-of-grace-tpb/