don@doncoley.com

I’m certain beyond doubt that some who read this post may be surrounded by circumstances you wish could be left behind. Relationships, Finances, Health. Whatever. Any or all of these, and more, have become almost more than you can bear. You’re looking forward to the time when you can look back.

I’ve been there, and my family. Nothing seemed to go right, disappointment led to disillusionment and that turned to despair. If that’s you today,  don’t lose heart. God is faithful. He is worthy of your trust.

About 30 years ago, when the faint light of hope started to brighten our future, I wrote Looking Forward to Looking Back, and share it now in hopes that it will be an encouragement to you. Looking back I can see that He was always there, and that his plan always held a hope and a future.

Looking Forward to Looking Back

It’s time to write.
Write about hospitals and hopelessness.
Of pride, arrogance, and judgment.
About pain. And how it changes things forever.
About humiliation. And standing in its harsh glare.
Of prayers that fall unanswered.
And some never offered.
Is Anyone listening? Is Anyone there?

The panic of helplessness.
The fear of being discovered.
Roller coaster emotions.
The absence of feeling.
A hardened spirit.
Lord, soften him.
Financial freefall.
Losing a job.
A house
And almost a marriage.
Of surgery failed. I had to try.
Of healing services that didn’t. And wondering, why?

Yes, it’s time to write.
Write about God’s faithfulness.
His kindness.
Daily mercies.
Forgiveness.
About His power not just to change, but make new.
Of His promise to complete what He starts.
Even when we don’t see His hand.
He is there.
Always.

And write about friends.
Who were there also.
Listening.
Sharing.
Praying.
Caring.
Demonstrating that they know Him.
By their love.

Our story.
Its telling is not easy.
Because it was not easy.
But it is told with great joy.
Because it brought great joy.
Lord, bless its telling.

All Sufficient Grace was originally written as one of 42 Deep Roots, Strong Faith daily devotional thoughts for Crossroads Church in Temecula, California.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
– The Apostle Paul in his letter to the church in Corinth, chapter twelve verse nine.

I remember back in the late 1970s when America experienced a severe oil shortage. Lines of cars waited for the gas stations to be resupplied. At the height of the crisis, gas could only be bought on “odd” or “even” days corresponding to the last number on the car’s license plate. The problem was that there was not enough supply to meet the need.

The story is also told of a self-important man who was shopping for a new Rolls Royce. He thoroughly examined the showroom car, looked under the hood, and asked the salesperson “how much horsepower does this engine have?” “Enough,” was the answer, “it has enough for whatever you need it to do.”

Isn’t it reassuring to know that whatever our need is, no matter how difficult our situation, the time will never come that threatens to exhaust God’s all sufficient supply of grace. His grace is enough. It is never rationed, and we will never have to wait until tomorrow to receive the supply of Grace that we need today.

But sometimes it can seem as if our need is too great and our faith is too weak. We can’t see any way out of our circumstance. If you’re there, remember Paul’s message: God’s grace is sufficient and his power is made perfect in our weakness. In those times, in the circumstances that seem most hopeless, we are able to see God’s power work on our behalf. It is in those times that the roots of our faith are strengthened and grow deeper.

The oil shortage was caused by a breakdown between the source of the oil and its availability to meet the need. God’s constant presence ensures that there will never be a gap between his grace and our need, because the promise of All Sufficient Grace is supported by the presence of its All Sufficient Source.