Try your best to live in peace with everyone. Try to be holy. Without holiness no one will see the Lord. Be sure that no one misses God’s grace. See to it that a bitter plant doesn’t grow up. If it does, it will cause trouble. And it will pollute many people.
A while ago, I texted a dear friend asking her to pray for me. Complaining and grumbling had overtaken my spirit and colored every interaction and every relationship I had. I was short-tempered and easily angered and I think I was becoming quite unpleasant to be around. I knew I needed some help…and some accountability for my actions and my reactions. I needed an attitude makeover and fast! A day later I laughed as I sent off another message to her telling her that the words, “Don’t complain, don’t complain, don’t complain” were on repeat in my head. But in all that I realized that I can be quick to judge and quick to assess things based on my unrealistic expectations, without accounting for any grace for the other person. That is not really trying to live in peace or trying to be holy. I’m pretty sure that is just living for me.
That’s when the first part of verse 15 hit me: Be sure that no one misses God’s grace. It is just one small sentence – and it kind of seems like a no-brainer. Of course I want people to experience God’s grace! But that one small sentence is sandwiched in between the ideas of living in peace and holiness and bitterness polluting the lives of many. Wow! That one sentence ties those two ideas together. God’s grace is displayed in the way I live my life. That’s pretty big. That means what I do matters. I am supposed to reflect a little bit of God here on this earth. I’m not sure about you – but I don’t want anyone to miss God’s grace because of the way I treat others or the way I live my life. Graceless living brings resentment and anger and nothing could be further from the way God has called us to live.
Let these simple words be your prayer today – God, let your grace be seen in me today so that others see you. Amen
