“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— not the result of works, so that no one may boast.” – Ephesians 2:8-9
“We are calling ahead to our Raleigh location to make an arrangement to airlift your wife there. It’s a possibility that this could be fatal.” As I lay in the emergency room with my eyes closed in a nearby local hospital, my heart sank as these were some words I remember hearing from the attending doctor. I was angry and scared at hearing the word fatal. Then I turned to God…
It was a beautiful Sunday at the end of December, the wonder of the Christmas season still was upon us, and the anticipation of the new year excited us. After worship at church, my husband Guy, and I headed to a local restaurant in a celebratory mood. Then our world changed while we were dining. Food became lodged in my throat, and I was choking. Within a short time, paramedics were on-site and I was rushed off to the hospital.
When I turned to God in silent prayer, I told him that I still have His work to do on earth. Did I earn God’s grace then on that eventful day? Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us otherwise. I have learned since that God was never in the business of negotiating or recognizing our works. Most of us still tend to correlate God’s grace with our morality, religiosity, church activities, work, accomplishments or lack of, and other man-made yardsticks. However, God has purchased the gift of grace for each and every one of us, with the blood of His Son Jesus Christ, on the cross. It is not our will, but the act of God that gave us faith through His redeeming grace.
Almighty God, thank you for your grace. Help me to remember that your gift of grace is freely available at all times. Amen.
Geeta Goodwin is a member of Elizabeth UMC