Listen for Grace

Stop.

Go outside, close your eyes, take a deep breath, and listen. Really listen, and take 5-10 deep breaths.

Listen.

10 Now therefore why are you putting God to the test by placing on the neck of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? 11 On the contrary, we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”

Acts 15:10-11

Reflect.

I love planting things in the spring, I have had a tough time waiting this spring with our rollercoaster Minnesota weather.  Instead of planting, cleaning flowerbeds, and clearing our garden I have been watching ducks and wondering if they’ll decide to make a nest in our yard.  Maybe they’ll choose one of the (many) structures that my kids have created, maybe they’ll roost up high in a tree, or maybe they won’t stay in our yard at all.  Through all this waiting and decisions I listen. 

I hear the ducks talking to each other, maybe they are discussing how to decorate a nest, or whether there are too many squirrels.  I choose to be quiet and listen to them, and not to give them any restraints. 

In a strange way I wonder if that’s what Peter is trying to do at the council, he spends much of the time listening to the discussion, then when he speaks he says something very important!  He reminds them that they are already saved!  Jesus died and rose to save them, God gave them a new way!  Take time to listen, try to listen how God might listen.  Remember that we are saved through the grace of Jesus!

Pray.

Hey God, thank you for making a way for us!  Thank you for sending Your Son so that we would be saved by GRACE!  Amen

Carry On.

Listen for the voice of God, in others and in yourself.  Tell someone about Jesus.