I tend to find that I always want to have the last word, I want to be right, I think I need to correct everything that does not sound like good theology, and I find I try to control situations.  That’s not the way of our Father though.  The Lord is described as being compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in love.  So when I say the Lord is teaching me about giving room for grace what I am saying is that I simply have to back off and give room for the Lord to work in the situation.  That does not mean I’m ignoring situations but what it does mean is that I don’t have to make it right.  I can back off and give room for the grace of God to work in that situation.  Oh how hard that can be.  It means that I have to surrender my will and trust the Father to work out the situation. 

So do you know what I’m discovering?  In those times I am able to lay it down and give room for grace I find something remarkable take place.  I’ll be honest it’s not easy and it can be painful at times.  Yet as the Lord brings me through difficulties I discover a heart that has been changed.  And that heart that has been changed is my heart. Changing hearts is what the Lord is in the business of doing… changing our hearts. 

Jesus taught that those who make peace will be called sons of God.  In that same dialog He gave a whole list of qualities such as being poor in spirit, being pure in heart, being merciful, and so on.  This list He gave us wasn’t a to-do list for Christians.  But what He did say is that those who live out those qualities are so happy.  If you are like me though when you read that list you feel a bit guilty because you know you aren’t always displaying those characteristics.  Well I have good news… you don’t have to try harder.  You only have to surrender those problems to the Lord.  When you back off and give room for grace He works these into your life.  It’s a work of the spirit and a great work it is. 

So next time we find ourselves in a disagreement with people how about we back off and talk to the Lord about it.  But watch out He’s in the business of doing big things in your heart… Yes He loves you that much!  So go ahead and give room for grace.

The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.  Psalm 103:8 (New International Version)