Pacing myself

While running in Piedmont Park today I watched the landscape crew groom and clean up the grassy areas.  I watched other runners, mom's with strollers and pets with their owners as I ran along the gravel track.   Taking it all in I noticed crumbly, dull gravel in contrast to the untouched bright, green grass.  It reminded me of the idiom that speaks about "those with glass houses" and of Matthew 7:3, "And why do you look at the speck in your brothers eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye." 

The grass looked inviting, maybe even spoiled. The gravel path I was on however, wasn't as invinting.  It was gray and had some uneven spots.  I imagined the grass feeling more superior than the gravel track.  That's when I heard, "Where are you?  Are you living in a way that is similar to the grassy area; feeling superior or needing more care like on the gravel track?"  Oh that's easy! I know where I live and I hope I live in a way that is recognizable.

I know my house is made of glass and the landscaper that works to keep it clear of stones is named Grace.  Grace wasn't hired.  Grace volunteers every day, rain or shine, whether I want Grace here or not.  Grace is there when I wake up and when I'm sleep.  Grace keeps me from thinking too long about trying to throw a stone or finding a speck in someone elses eyes.  Grace is good for me.  Grace is amazing. 

I took a deep breath in as I thought about that.  Who would I be without God and the grace that He provides?  I need His grace.  Without His grace my glass house would eventually come crashing down.  Imagine me, the person who lies, hides, and falls, throwing, a pebble at or sticking my nose up at someone else's place in Him?

I like the way the Apostle Paul plainly states it in Romans 12:3:
"For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith."

The Message Bible says it this way:
"Living then, . . . in pure grace, it's important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him."

Where do you live?  Do you see your house on the blemish free, grassy field, without so much as an ant hill?  At the end of the day GOD sees all of us as living on the grassy field. Everyday you wake up the HE is preparing the field and clearing the way so that you too can see what HE sees.