SHADE OF GRACE — AS A LIFESTYLE

GOD’S INVITATION TO SHADE

Life is hard. We are all damaged—ravaged by the sins of others and the consequences of our own sinful choices, a broken world, and the enemy’s schemes.

Things break—glasses, cars, hearts, all the things.

The heat is on. Challenging circumstances, pressure, disappointments, relationship struggles, unexpected diagnoses, anything, and everything threatens to zap our strength, steal our joy, and distract us from knowing and enjoying God. 

All of it—the hard, broken, difficult things in life can be redeemed if we will do one thing—come to Jesus. 

Come out from the oppressive heat into the shade of God’s grace—the Living Word.  

Forsaking self-sufficiency and leaning on our own understanding creates a clear path to God’s refuge of grace.

GOD’S PROMISE OF SHADE

God’s Word is a shady place of rest, refreshment, and rejoicing. All that we need, and more than we ever imagined, can be found in Christ.

Let’s do a quick run-through of the shady places we explored during this series, shall we? 

• Are you weary, weighed down with cares, buried under seemingly insurmountable troubles? Soul rest awaits you in Matthew 11:28-29.

• If agitation assaults you, run to God’s promise of perfect peace in Isaiah 26:3. This promise requires faith. Trusting God while fixing our minds on Him ushers in perfect peace.

• Hopeless? God is the God of HOPE. Joy and peace are ours when we believe Him. Overflowing hope, by the power of the Spirit, is the result of a genuine trust in God.  Romans 15:13

• Are you troubled, in need of help, counsel, or guidance? God is available. Turn to Him and know Him as a very present help.  Psalm 46:1 

• Our noisy world, inundated minds, jam-packed schedules, the demands from others, and our own expectations reveal Psalm 46:10 as the decadent deliverance it is—be still and know that I am God. Relax—God’s got it. 

• If distress and uneasiness are regular companions, perhaps God’s call to repentance with its accompanying abiding rest has been ignored? Isaiah 30:15 

GOD KEEPS IT SIMPLE

Perhaps this all sounds too simplistic, Pollyanna”ish” or you are thinking, “Missy, you have no idea what I am dealing with!” 

Perhaps, but let’s not forget that those who follow the Shepherd, are sheep. Not too bright necessarily, but beloved.  

“Sheep must have a leader (shepherd) and must be told what to do and where to go, otherwise they’ll wander off and get lost.”  https://www.answers.com/zoology/What_are_some_characteristics_of_sheep

Our Gentle Shepherd has lovingly told us what to do and where to go. We have not been abandoned to our own wits or left aimless in a spiritual game of hide-and-seek. 

If we find ourselves frequently scorched, desperate for relief, feeling depleted, dry, or deeply discouraged, we may be forsaking the shade of grace. Instead of retreating to God’s sheltering Word and His perennial promises, we may be attempting to do life our way.

God keeps things simple.

It is the Truth that sets us free. Nothing less.

GOD’S DESIRE—SHADY LIVING

Life is hard, but our Father has provided everything we need for life and godliness. (2 Peter 1:3)

Jesus succinctly clarifies His purpose for us in John 10:10–life! And not just any kind of run-of-the-mill life, but abundant life.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

ESV

Unless we seek refuge in the shade of God’s Word, the blazing heat of incinerating cares and concerns may leave us parched and spiritually barren. Instead of experiencing the abundant life Christ promised, we might feel more like desert wanderers eking out an existence. 

Knowing God’s Word is critical. 

The coolness of God’s sheltering truths provides a shady place of grace. And my friend, rest assured there is a shade of grace available for every challenge, disappointment, heartache, and the life-shaking moment we will ever encounter.

Come, dear one, into the shade of grace. 

The LORD himself watches over you! The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade. 

Psalm 121:5 NLT

Here’s to shady living!

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Have you found a particularly refreshing and restorative shade of grace spot? Leave your comments below—I am eager to hear where you are lingering with Him.

If you are in need of a shady place of grace, but not sure where to turn, let me know. Leave your request in the comments below. Offering a sheltering scripture for whatever “heat” you are experiencing would be my delight.

Whether you have been here since the beginning of our series or just dropped by, I am glad you are here.