Grace in a Different Light

          Grace is not simply a religious term, a feeling, or a word. Grace is God's unmerited favor. This means that such favor cannot be earned; we as human beings do not deserve this grace. Yet this unmerited favor exists in every waking moment of my existence, of your existence, of the world's existence. You must look for it.
           Grace can be found in a little child contentedly whispering stories to her plastic horse, Black Beauty. Grace can be seen in alluring sunsets over the Great Salt Lake which cause you to pull off to the side of the road in fear of driving off the road because your graze is fixed on the gorgeous sky. Grace can be noticed in wispy clouds floating in front of a full moon. Grace is everywhere, however, we as human beings are too used to it or take it for granted.
         God did not solely display his grace as he gave up his sinless life as a payment for mine. This grace was not shown only as Jesus experienced every bit of pain, grief, evil, sorrow, loneliness, anger, insecurity, jealousy, pride that I have experienced and ever will experience. Grace didn't start and stop there. It continues to flow from the Father.
         This kind of love blows my mind. What kind of God showers his children with boundless blessings despite the fact that they choose to glorify themselves day after day? What kind of God enjoys giving good gifts to his beloved creation? What kind of God never stops choosing to love his people even after they stop loving him? It makes no sense, especially in this world of fake love and cheap grace. But it's true, and I am understanding it more and more.
          I challenge you to look for and find grace. When you make the choice to do so, you will be blown away by the love of the Savior. It will begin changing the way you see and interact with God. It's so freeing.
          Look for Grace.

Romans 8:32 "He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 

Ephesians 2:1-9 "As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.  And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast."