Seeking out Evidence of God's Grace

I share this not as someone who is cultivating humility in her heart but rather someone desperately aware of the sin of pride in her heart and life. I recently finished CJ Mahaney's "Humilty" and was greatly challenged by a call he gives to believers. In Mahaney's book he brings to the surface one of the greatest ways our pride shows it's ugly head: being critical of others. I know this is true in my life. We see the damage of this in our homes, our churches and in our witness for the gospel. Now, I am not speaking of giving godly correction to a believer living in sin but rather constantly picking apart the lives of others, in a manner that is critical and hurtful. We do this so much more than we even realize. One day after reading Maheney's book I tried to count that day how often I had a critical thought towards someone or said something critical to those around me. Let's just say by lunch I was heavy with conviction.

In his book, Maheney challenges us to change this by confessing our sin, this of course has to happen first. He then challenges his readers to indentify evidences of God's grace in the lives of those around them. He uses the example of Paul in Corinthians. As Paul is writing to the church at Corinth he is writing to correct serious doctrinal and moral errors and yet in his opening line he tells them, "I give thanks to my God always for you." Why? "Becuase of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus." (1:4) So where do we begin? Mahaney encourages believers "to be intimatley familiar with the fruits of the spirit. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faitfulness, gentleness and self control. Make a practice of how the spirit manifests these traits in the lives of you see around you. Likewise, familiarize yourself with the Spirits gifts. (Romans 12:6-8, 1 Cor. 12:8-10 and 12:28, Ephesians 4:11, 1 Peter 4:11) and observe the spirit equipping believers to teach, to lead and to serve." This next statement from Maheney brought much conviction as I had to deal with what I was not doing..."What a joy and privelage it is to disern this activity in the lives of those we love and care for- and to draw their attention to how God is at work in their lives."

I know this is most important in our homes, towards our spouses and our precious children. I know if your like me we are so quick to point out that which needs to be changed in the life of our spouse, or areas that our children frustrate us. How different would our homes be if we were intentionally seeking out and pointing out evidences of God's grace in the lives of our spouses and children. When was the last time I sat down with my husband to share with him the ways I see God at work in his life? How often do I point out the areas James has challenged me today rather than thanking the Lord for the sweet spirit and fun personality he has?

I have a very long way to go, I am grateful for the Lord's mercy and the grace my husband and son give me on a daily basis. One thing is for sure, I have been deeply convicted about the pride that harbors in my heart and challenged tremendoulsy to actively pursue cultivating humility there. For me, that starts with asking the Lord to reveal to me all the ways He is at work in the lives of those around me. For when I am critical I am prideful.

"Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth(which begins in my prideful heart) but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." Eph. 4:29

How much would change if we diligently worked to practice these truths in our homes and churches? I can only imagine.