I wanted to share with you how I came up with "Gracefully." When I think of graceful I automatically envision figure skaters or ballerinas. Not that I ever considered myself graceful because I am everything but graceful.They not only have the full knowledge of the form but the inner strength and control to perform their moves.
I would have loved to have taken ballet or learned to skate but that was not a privilege offered to me as I was growing up. Any extra time we had was spent gardening, farming, and helping with chores around the house. There was no extra time or money to spend for such frivolous things. Subsequently, I had never considered myself graceful by any definition.
However, since retiring, I began a Pilates class. I was doing all that I could do to imitate the graceful ballerina princess moves made by my instructor. It took every ounce of strength in my body just to attempt the moves. Sprawled out on the floor, I felt like the tin man from the Wizard of Oz.
I would have loved to have taken ballet or learned to skate but that was not a privilege offered to me as I was growing up. Any extra time we had was spent gardening, farming, and helping with chores around the house. There was no extra time or money to spend for such frivolous things. Subsequently, I had never considered myself graceful by any definition.
However, since retiring, I began a Pilates class. I was doing all that I could do to imitate the graceful ballerina princess moves made by my instructor. It took every ounce of strength in my body just to attempt the moves. Sprawled out on the floor, I felt like the tin man from the Wizard of Oz.
Every muscle in my body was screaming in exhaustion. In fact, I was almost dizzy. Leaving the gym, I made a conscious
decision to tackle this challenge. I did not want to just learn these moves and complete them in robotic motions, I wanted these moves to be comfortable and natural - graceful as a ballerina, a figure skater, or a butterfly.
As I drove home, it the Holy Spirit impressed in my mind, "Isn't this the way God wants us to live our lives? It is not natural for Christian's to live defeated lives. We have been transformed by the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We are no longer a sinner, but a saint, who is capable of sinning. By our new nature we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to "submit to God, and resist Satan."
As I drove home, it the Holy Spirit impressed in my mind, "Isn't this the way God wants us to live our lives? It is not natural for Christian's to live defeated lives. We have been transformed by the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We are no longer a sinner, but a saint, who is capable of sinning. By our new nature we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to "submit to God, and resist Satan."
Life does not have to be a struggle. Proverbs 16:9 reassures us that it is possible to glorify God, because "once we set our heart on God He will direct our steps." Philippians 4:13 reminds us that "we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us."
Many professing Christians have the knowledge to walk the Christian life, but never grow to
become comfortable in their own skin when it comes to living the Christian
lifestyle that would glorify God.
We can walk gracefully and in peace when we know God and his son Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 1:2 tells us that "Grace and peace can be ours in abundance through the knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord." God is the lawgiver, sovereign, our father, and friend. If we know Him and yield to Him in love,reverence, obey, honor Him with gratitude and supreme affection then we can experience his grace and peace in abundance. In other words if we so walk with him, glorifying him with our lives will be natural and as effortless as a butterfly or ballerina.
We can walk gracefully and in peace when we know God and his son Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 1:2 tells us that "Grace and peace can be ours in abundance through the knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord." God is the lawgiver, sovereign, our father, and friend. If we know Him and yield to Him in love,reverence, obey, honor Him with gratitude and supreme affection then we can experience his grace and peace in abundance. In other words if we so walk with him, glorifying him with our lives will be natural and as effortless as a butterfly or ballerina.
God transforms us as we submit to him BUT He does not reprogram our bodies and
minds to operate as a robot.
To stay on the path requires a daily surrender, a daily turning to God, and daily resisting temptation and sin. Sometimes walking this walk is difficult. Just as we need encouragement and assistance to fitness and good health we also need someone to encourage us along the Christian journey.
To stay on the path requires a daily surrender, a daily turning to God, and daily resisting temptation and sin. Sometimes walking this walk is difficult. Just as we need encouragement and assistance to fitness and good health we also need someone to encourage us along the Christian journey.
The purpose of Gracefully is two-fold.
For ME, this
blog is the by-product of my personal Bible study, prayer, and meditation. It
is my personal testimony witness to - what I have learned, how I apply biblical
truths to my life, and how God has made a difference in my life. It is also a
place that I can be an encouragement to others in their walk with
Christ.
For YOU, this
blog is an opportunity to become a part of a growing group of believers. It
will allow you a safe place to learn to share what you have learned from
God's word, express your opinion, and to seek answers to questions about living
the Christian life. It provides you a place to share your witness and testimony
to how Jesus has made a difference in your life, "Share Your Story".
It provides you the convenience of checking in at your own convenience to be a
part of our devotional time or Bible Study.
I am convinced that as we study, pray, and
seek God together our Christian walk will be a little more Graceful. My desire
for myself and for you is: that we walk so closely to Jesus that others will
see Him long before they see us.
I pray that as we walk together we are so changed that others will be drawn to Jesus. Together we can grow a community of believers.
And... in the meantime... may God bless you as you seek to identify with him.
Blessings,
Patsy C
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