Runaway Bride

Oooooops.  I am not going to make a movie review on Julia Robert's  "Runaway Bride", though I really like that film.  I am blogging about the danger of running away from something you know you were called to do and from being someone you were called to be.  I came up with this blog post because I see myself exactly on the same spot where I told God "NO" and how I realized it was a total waste of time to really run away from God.  

I got reminded of the story of Jonah who run away from where God wants him to be and refused to do what God has called him to do.  It only brought disaster to him and to the people around him.  Sometimes pain and disaster has its way of bringing us back to the right track and come to our senses. "'Yung tipong kailangan pang masaktan, bago sumunod." 

But the best thing is that when we are ready and decided to come back, God will embrace us in spite of our disobedience. The parable of the prodigal son is a beautiful picture of the Father's heart to His children.  Amazing, isn't it? No condemnation from the Father, rather a big celebration to His son who got lost but was found. 

No more running, Chel. Run no more.

Reflections: To Live a Life of Grace.

God has been impressing to my heart the word "grace" and here's some insights that I would like to share about what it means to live a life of grace. 

To live a life of grace is...

1. To live a life of gratitude. Grace is defined as the unmerited and undeserved favor of God. It is a gift of God that was given freely to us.  Isn't it amazing that something is given to us without working for it? It made me realize to be grateful everyday and avoid complaining, grumbling and comparing myself with what other people have. 

2.  To live a life of humility.  "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." (1 Peter 5:5).

What keeps people from receiving the grace of God? - PRIDE.  Its when people think that they know-it-all and can-do-it-all.  But if we put our hearts in a position of humility, it opens the door for us to receive the abundant grace of God.  

His grace is indeed amazing.  His grace saved a wretched like me.  My life is a story of His grace and even when I stumble and fail at times, His grace will continually restore and put me back on the right path. 

My prayer is that I will grow in His grace and touch other people's lives with it.  His grace in my life will make a difference.