The CLOAK of GRACE

The most often repeated command from Jesus in the New Testament is:

"FEAR NOT or DO NOT FEAR". 

This jumped off the page at me as I was reading about Grace.  I've come to believe that GRACE and FEAR can't coexist in a Christian's life. 

As I've shared before fear has taken up residence in my life far more than I like to admit.  For different reasons and on different levels.  But Jesus has the victory in my life, and is teaching me, stubborn old little me, bit by bit.

A book I've been reading astutely observes that each one of us is master to something.

Hate to tell you....its true.  

Stop and think about that for a minute.  What rules your thoughts, motives, desires? Whatever that is... is master over you.

Unless.

You.

Choose.

Grace.

Picture this, whatever is MASTER in my life, is a cloak around me. 

For me it looks like this, a CLOAK of FEAR or GRACE.  Fear cloaking leads to living life worried about what others think, worrying about my sin, my failures, looking more at myself and what I can do, produce or control.  

Fear cloaking produces fruit in my life that looks like judgement, criticism, legalism, pride, shame, perfectionism.....I'm sure you can think of a few others.

Much of religion sadly has been focused more on the CLOAK of FEAR, than the CLOAK of GRACE.

However the fruit of Grace Cloaking is quite the opposite, it produces LIFE.  It nourishes acceptance, balance, humility, confidence, joy, peace, love....and the list could go on.

I've begun reading through grace verses in my Bible.

Starting in the old testament,  I read Psalm 45:2,

"You are the most excellent of men and your lips have been ANOINTED with GRACE."

Moving on I went to Proverbs 1:8-9,

"Listen, my (daughter), to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching, they will be a GARLAND to GRACE your head."

Then to Proverbs 3: 21-22,

"My (daughter), preserve sound judgement and discernment, do not let them out of your sight; they will be LIFE for you, an ORNAMENT to GRACE your neck."

And finally ended my morning on Proverbs 4:9,

"She (wisdom) will set a GARLAND of GRACE on your head and present you with a crown of splendor."

Through these scriptures, I believe God is calling me to WEAR GRACE.  Cloak myself in Grace.   Allow GRACE to MASTER me. 

A cloak is an outer garment, worn to protect one from the cold.  This life can be pretty cold sometimes.  Jesus says, take my yoke (cloak) upon you, learn from Me, my yoke (cloak) is easy and light, it will bring peace and life to your weary bones.  It will protect you and keep you sound in mind and heart.  

 So this is where I keep landing, when I'm tired and worn.  Wrapping up in my Father's warm cloak.  Feeling His arms of mercy, love, acceptance.....all wrapped up in GRACE. 

*A few pictures from my runs this month.  Its been a lovely month of running :)