Where did all my grace go?

Sometimes…not all the time, mind you…I feel overwhelmed by my old, sinful nature. The urge to throw a wild party and abandon all morality and decorum finds its way into my innermost thoughts. Other times, I am inundated with guilt over my past and feel like all my efforts at living a good life have been for naught.
   Whether I give into that temptation or not seems irrelevant. I develop a deep depression and worry that those secret thoughts are exposed to the world, and my shame is shouted from the mountain tops up to the heavenlies.

    I know. I hear you now, rustling through your Bibles to remind me that God isn’t like that. I know. But admit it. Be honest with yourself for a moment. You’ve had times like that too. Despite the piety of our Christian walk, we still falter and stumble on the way. It may not be in a big way—adultery, drunkenness, or skipping church—it may be something small…a snippy word, a catty remark, a haughty attitude, a juicy tidbit of gossip. These minor flaws in our Christian veneer can make us feel damaged, unacceptable, and unloved.
   So where did the grace go? That grace that I sang so heartily about on Sunday seems to have slipped my grasp come Monday! Like the smudges on the screen of my cell phone, daily wear and tear tends to dull my daily walk with my Lord. And, truth be told, I am helpless to change that about me. I need that grace that once washed me white as snow. It would be foolish of me to wash my car only once and then rant against the buildup of dirt, mud, streaks, and pigeon poop that has accumulated by the end of the week.
    Likewise, we are foolish to think that a one-time trip to an altar or a once-a-week visit in the presence of God is sufficient to keep us in fresh grace. Yes, God’s grace is sufficient, but it must be applied daily. This is why his mercies are new every morning! Each day needs his special grace for that particular 24 hour period. Even Jesus, as he taught his disciples to pray, said, “Give us this day our daily bread”.
   This walk with the Lord is a daily adventure, and it requires a daily interaction with our Savior. His grace hasn’t left us. It’s bright and sparkling and new every morning when I wake up. I just need to start applying it to my life…to my thoughts, my failures, and my flaws. It’s not a license to sin, but rather the power to overcome sin. It’s a preventative, if you will. Daily application of God’s mercies and grace can keep us from falling. It buffs out the dings and scratches left by our past lives to present us as holy and acceptable unto God.
    Have you lost your grace? I know where it is. It’s waiting at the foot of an old, rugged cross. It’s fresh, and refreshing to your soul. Apply liberally every day…and repeat as needed. His grace is all sufficient, and he never runs out. Have you found your grace today? __________________________________________________

A Roswell, New Mexico native, Wendon Pettey has been actively involved in ministry for more than 20 years in music and pastoring. He now does both, serving as the Associate Pastor of Youth and Music at Greenfield Family Worship Center Church of God in Greenfield, Ind. His debut album, 'Written in Red,’ was released in 2008. Wendon is also the founder of 'New Beginnings Ministries.' and is a contributing writer to ‘The Benefit Package,’ a 30 day devotional set for release by CrossRiver later this Fall. Wendon and his wife, Gidget have two sons, Oliver and Noah. The family lives with their two dachshunds in Greenfield. You can find Wendon online at Swine With Pearls.