Why in the grip of grace?

ggNo grace is not a person!

If memory serves, I first saw the words 'In the grip of grace' on the front cover of a book by Max Lucado on the bookshelf of my friend Roz. Funnily enough I have never read that book, but its title really took hold of me, so to speak. I think it is a fitting image for those whose life is in Christ, and also of my life. It is an image that causes us not to focus so much on what we do in our relationship with our God, but causes us to remember that God himself has taken hold of us and carries us safely in his mighty hands. I chose it for the title of this blog because it reminds me of whose I am, and I believe that should be reflected in my life, my thoughts, my words and my acts. May the words of this blog echo the grace that God gives me.

There are a few passages that come to mind when I think of this image:

(1) In writing to the church in Philippi Paul speaks of his Christian life as one where he hasn't got everything made just yet, and he hasn't 'arrived' or achieved perfection. He says 'Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me'(Philippians 3:12). I think this acknowledges that God is the one pursuing us, and he takes hold of us in his love. God took hold of Paul and changed his life. This is recorded in Acts chapter 9, but it is good to start reading from chapter 7 for the fuller picture.

(2) Another passage which picks up on this imagery is Isaiah 41, which speaks to God's people scattered throughout the earth concerning God's care. From verse 9 it says:

^?9? I took you from the ends of the earth,

from its farthest corners I called you.

I said, ‘You are my servant’;

I have chosen you and have not rejected you.

^?10? So do not fear, for I am with you;

do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you;

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Again this passage uses the image of God's hand taking hold of us and 'upholding' us, a hand which is commonly identified as the person of Jesus, who sits as God's right hand in heaven.

(3) Finally, I think Paul asks a profound question along these same lines when he writes to the church in Rome and asks 'Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?' (Romans 8:35). It is comforting to know that we don't need to struggle to hold onto God, but we can rest safe in the knowledge that God has taken hold of us, and he will carry us. He loves us and nothing can separate us from that love. This is a promise of rest (Matthew 11:28). It is the knowledge that God has got my back, he is the one working in me to bring about good (Philippians 2:13).

I have much more to say on this topic, but I will leave it here for now.