something about Grace...

"Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs." -Jonah 2:8

when I read through Jonah this past weekend & came across this verse, all I could think was, "dang."
That sentence got to me and has been running through my mind a lot the past few days.

here it is again:
"Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs." -Jonah 2:8

I don't know about you, but for me these words sting and leave me in a pondering state.
To be quite honest, I can't fully grasp the grace of God. There is just something about Jesus and how He loves His creation so deeply that He chose to die for our sins, that leaves me speechless. There is just something about Jesus and how He is continuously filling our lives & souls up with His incredible grace that leaves me in wonder.

"The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus." -1 Timothy 1:14

what blessed children of God are we to be covered in the Lord's grace?

So then, going back to Jonah 2:8, my question is why would anyone willingly choose to forfeit the grace of God? How do you even begin to forfeit grace?

"...cling to worthless idols..."

Well, I don't bow down to statues, I don't even really obsess over celebrities.
I wrote a blog a while back focusing on the song Clear The Stage by Jimmy Needham. I mainly focused on the chorus saying "worship is more than a song." But this weekend as I read Jonah, I had Clear The Stage on repeat & different lyrics stood out to me.

"We must not worship something that's not even worth it. Clear the stage and make some space for the one who deserves it.
Anything I put before my God is an idol. Anything I want with all my heart is an idol. And anything I can't stop thinking of is an idol. Anything I give all my love is an idol."

All of a sudden idols aren't just big statues and popular celebrities. All of a sudden idols become much more than that. All of a sudden, I'm convicted of idolatry. Thank God for His unending grace flooding through my life.
While many of us are clinging to idols, my attention is drawn to Romans 12:9.

"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good."

I can assure you that JESUS IS GOOD. Draw close to His heart & cling ever so tightly to the King.

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through His redemption that came by Christ Jesus." -Romans 3:23-24

the truth found in this hymn humbles me:
"amazing Grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I'm found. Was blind, but now I see."

We, little bitty humans, are rescued by the grace of Christ. We are redeemed by the grace of Christ. I fail Jesus daily, yet He continues to pursue this little heart of mine. Oh how He loves us.

"...if grace is an ocean then we're all sinking..."

Jesus,
I ask You reveal a little more of Your grace to me as You continue to teach me to live this life for You. Teach me to cling tightly to You, for You are the one true definition of good. I love You.
-me.

"Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love." -Ephesians 6:24