Is Realization Enough?

   Chambers says today:


   "We do not need the grace of God to withstand crises,human nature and pride are sufficient for us to face the stress and strain magnificently. But it does require the supernatural grace of God to live twenty-four hours of every day as a saint, going through drudgery, and living an ordinary, unnoticed, and ignored existence as a disciple of Jesus. It is ingrained in us that we have to do exceptional things for God,but we do not. We have to be exceptional in the ordinary things of life, and holy on the ordinary streets, among ordinary people,and this is not learned in five minutes."

   The first thing that struck me this morning was that the word "saint" does not apply to me. When I hear or see that word, the picture that comes to my mind is a personage like Mother Theresa, or some person in our church who is so on fire for Jesus that I can't help but notice. The Bible calls all believers, saints, so I guess I be one. Mother Theresa can be a saint with a capital S, and I only take the small one.

   The second thing that jumps out at me is the fact that living the Christian life takes place in the ordinary, the daily routines of normal existence, and that often entails a struggle within my mind and heart.

   Now I have mentioned before, on more than one occasion, that I am basically a selfish individual. I struggle to put someone else's needs and desires above my own, especially if I feel my time is precious. I get somewhat irritated when called on to respond when I have things I want to do, even as I am acting on that request. Sometimes the battle is not in responding, it is doing that with love and grace. 

   I recognize the battle, before a situation develops, during that particular time, and after it is all past. I resolve to handle it differently the next time, be that in the next 5 minutes, or maybe not till tomorrow, but then I realize, "Hey, I did it again".

   I do not want to just put on my game face and act like a saint, I want to live out my faith in the ordinary parts of life, even where no person sees. 

   God, help me to actually reflect your love and grace all the time, not to just realize when I don't. Realization is a good start, but living that way is much better.