As one who has dedicated my life to helping people grow through their life struggles, I often face the temptation to become weary. “Why do I do this?” I query within myself. A close examination of that question reveals that much of my motivation is driven by a sense of obligation—the sense that I “should” do this because of how good God has been to me—or fear—I mean, what else can I do, since this is where I have landed in my life pursuit.
Several years ago, I was encouraged to reexamine my motives when reading John Piper’s book, Future Grace. There I was reminded that the source of my ministry to others is the overflow of my life in God—a life to be lived by faith in His infinite, inexhaustible grace, not by seeking to repay Him for His grace by means of my own effort. While grace provides the motivation (“delight in the Lord”) as well as enablement to provide ministry to others, seeking to please the Lord by paying Him back for His goodness only brings exhaustion, questioning, and frustration. Living by faith in the Lord’s future grace exalts Him; living in a state of self-effort nullifies grace and belittles God.
Learning to lean on nothing but His grace is an adventure in which I am growing. But I am finding that trusting the Lord in light of what He has already done, rather than trying to live out of a constant sense of doing “what I should” keeps the focus right where it must be—His grace. And because of that I can rest and depend upon more of it in the future. “For of [Christ’s] fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace.” (John 1:16)
The same can be said in regard to all of us, in all things. What keeps you in the fight? What is at the bottom of your life that gives foundation to everything you think, say, and do? When discouraged, tired, doubting, or numb, what truth is fundamental toward replenishing energy, faith, and vitality? It seems, among the varied things the Bible instructs us to do, that trusting in the Lord’s grace in light of our sin, our circumstances, and our feelings, is that faith in God unwavering, Christ-purchased, provision in our behalf is vital.
Piper’s book (mentioned above) is a difficult book to read. For some, it is somber and serious. To me, it was a well-spring of life. I highly recommend it to any Christian who genuinely struggles trying to learn the essence of what it means to be a Christ-follower and live in a manner that glorifies Him. I pray that as you have the opportunity to read it, you are blessed to find comfort and strength, along with a deeper sense of the need for His grace, both in your salvation and discipleship.