For by grace you have been saved by faith, and this is not your own doing, it is a gift of God. — Ephesians 2:8.
This verse always makes me smile. It’s like God is saying, “Hey there, friend! I see you’re stressing about all the things you think you need to do to earn my love. Relax! It’s a freebie! Just say ‘yes’ and enjoy the ride.”
Yet, I’m the same way. I’m terrible at receiving gifts. It feels…unearned. Like I’m somehow cheating the system. I always feel like I need to have done something extraordinary to deserve a present. It’s a ridiculous internal struggle, I know.
On the flip side, I love giving gifts! I get a thrill out of seeing someone’s face light up when they open something I picked out for them. But then I get confused when they seem hesitant or try to downplay it. “Oh, you shouldn’t have!” they say, as if I just handed them a ticking time bomb.
It’s like we’re all playing this bizarre game of “Gift Tag.” “Here’s a gift!” I say, beaming. “No, no, I don’t deserve this!” they reply, pushing it back. “But I want you to have it!” I insist, thrusting it back into their hands. “But I…” they stammer.
And then there’s my birthday coming up. I’ve already told my family, “Don’t get me anything! Really! I don’t need or want a thing!” And deep down, I know that’s a bit of a lie. I secretly crave a pick up truck, oatmeal raisin cookies, and my new fantasy an electronic tricycle. But mostly, I crave the feeling of being loved, which subconsciously apparently requires me to act like I don’t need or want anything.
God, on the other hand, doesn’t play silly games. He doesn’t offer us a “pair of slippers or a new pipe” (A line from The Bishop’s Wife). He offers us…well, everything. Forgiveness, love, eternal life…the whole kit and caboodle! And the best part? It’s absolutely free! No strings attached, no fine print, no hidden fees. Just pure, unadulterated grace.
It’s like God is standing there with this massive, overflowing gift basket, and all we have to do is say, “Wow, that’s amazing! Thank you!” But instead, we stand there, arms crossed, muttering, “I’m not sure I deserve this…are you sure you have the right address?”
God’s offer isn’t some shady email from a Nigerian prince promising you millions if you just send him your bank details. It’s the real deal, folks. The most incredible deal you’ll ever encounter. So, what do you say? Are you going to accept the gift, or are you going to spend the rest of your life wondering “what if?”
Grace is not a reward for good behavior; it’s a reminder that we don’t have to be perfect to be loved.
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