This weekend my wife gave me a great gift. She cleaned my office without asking me permission. She knew the shared joy of a refreshed space — where I meet with people, and clutter is not so inviting — is better than my preference to work on it myself.
In years past I might of gotten upset at her for moving things around (and throwing some away) without first asking me. Yet, she has permission to rearrange things in my life.
My wife knows there is no area in my life I desire to be hidden from her, so she can search into any nook and cranny she wants. I also trust her to do what’s best for me. When and where I am weak (e.g., organizing my office, keeping it tidy), she can be strong. And vice versa.
With a good friend like that, there’s always a way out of your predicaments. She gave me a way out of my mess. Who have you given permission to help you get out of yours?
We must get to the end of ourselves and grant permission for others to help us grow.
Reminds me of a greater truth.
Jesus did not just conquer the penalty of sin, he conquered sin itself. That means there’s a way out; you’re not stuck in sin. Titus 2:11-12
— Chris Nye (@chrisnye) May 22, 2012
Do you believe it? Do you live in this grace?
Grace is much more than a concept, and believing in grace, and salvation, and even believing in God and Jesus will not change your life — unless you give Him permission to start moving things around. You hand Him all your guilt and shame, and keep giving Him your pain. He offers you His life: freedom, forgiveness, healing, hope, wholeness.
Let me ask you:
Is Jesus now saving you from sin? From its power and presence, as well as its penalty.
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
—Titus 2:11-14
- More: When You Really Want to Change … (by Kari)
That’s a great little thing to share Jeff. It’s easy to have prickly points with areas we carve out for ourself. When my wife says something like, “You seem to be playing a lot of online chess…”, I have only a brief second to decide which way to go in my response. She knows me best, and any choice other than humble acceptance is ill-chosen. We’re blessed to have good wives.