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Grace Upon Grace


Ever since finishing my time in the Marine Corps, I have been actively pursuing education. I began with my Bachelor's degree, while still working full-time. After a short break, I moved on to my first Master's degree and then to a second. You might say I am addicted to learning - and this is probably somewhat true. I love to learn, to read, to soak up as much knowledge from others as I possibly can, even if I don't always retain it as I would like. 

Over those years of seeking education, there have been a couple of times that I didn't quite hit the mark. In my Master's work, as I have continued to work full-time, raise a family, and do all the things that we do in life, I have had seasons where I fell behind or sickness caused me to be unable to complete the task in front of me. 

On one occasion, after battling COVID for a few weeks, I found myself in a place where I simply could not catch up with my schoolwork and I faced a hard decision about what needed to happen. I reached out to my academic advisor to discuss solutions. After working with my professors, I was given a second chance that involved an extension on my due dates. In the end, I was able to complete the assigned coursework and complete the classes. 

Everybody loves a second chance - I guess unless you're the ultimate perfectionist - because second chances are redemptive. Whatever it was that kept us from getting it right the first time can, hopefully, be defeated or set aside for the second go-round.

In John 1, the disciple that Jesus loved says this: "Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." (16-17)

I love this picture of grace that John gives us because it tells us that grace already existed, but in Jesus, we find even more grace. Grace in place of grace is the gift that God gives us through the fullness - the completeness - of his Son, Jesus Christ. 

Grace is never an excuse for choosing to under-perform, but grace is something we must never forget or even neglect. Grace lifts our heads when we feel we have reached our end. Grace restores our spirit when it has been broken by our circumstances. Grace redeems us when we feel we have lost our value. Grace encourages us when we have been beat down. Grace pushes us when we feel we have nothing left to give. 

If it were not for grace, I would have not completed the work I needed to do for my educational pursuits. Grace was given to me when, because of the circumstances I found myself in and the unplanned challenges of life piled on, I needed it most. Grace has been given to me - and to you - because God, who has been giving grace from the very beginning, gives us even more grace through his Son, Jesus. It is grace upon grace upon grace. 

The phrase, "God of second chances," is perhaps all too familiar to us, but it is filled with truth. He is the God of second chances - and third, fourth fifth...because His grace is followed by grace is followed by grace...not to take for granted, but to respond to in grateful appreciation and obedience to that which He has called each one of us. 

May it be so.

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