The Parking Spot

Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.  For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations.  His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace,

My workday morning routine involves driving to a park & ride location to catch a bus. A arrive about 5:00 AM and place my backpack in the bus line and wait for the bus to arrive. It is a great time to reflect, pray, and read scriptures. It is a devotional time. And it also is a time to watch humanity in action. People are creatures of habit. Some people at the park & ride have to park in the same spot everyday. It can be entertaining to watch how people will take several minutes pulling into, backing out of turning their wheels and pulling back into a spot that is too narrow. All this takes place with empty and spacious parking slots ten feet away.  I suppose their favorite spot saves them a couple of steps in the daily commute. But is just seems to be such foolishness.

What about people and their spiritual lives? Are they similar to the person who goes through so much work to fit into a tiny parking spot? Do you, or someone you know try and try to earn grace through effort and actions? It is sad to watch the parking lot show, but even more so to see the attempts to earn grace.  People can get wrapped up in the 'have to do something' mentality and forget the obvious and simple truth. Grace is not earned. Grace as a gift given in love, at a terrible cost. It was paid for with the blood of Christ on the cross. There is nothing more to earn, nothing more to pay. You cannot earn what has already been given. Ephesians 2:13 lays it out.  But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.  For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations.  His words on the cross,"It is finished" captured in John 19:30 tell us with chilling finality nothing more is needed. We are the recipients of the grace of God. You, me, no one can do anything else to earn this gift.

If you encounter someone trying to earn grace, much like the person trying to park in the narrow parking spot, take a moment and ask in love why they continue on that path? It can make all the difference in the lives here on earth, and in heaven.

PRAYER: Father, we foolishly try to earn what You have given freely. In spite of knowing what has been accomplished on the cross, we seek to do what we think is also needed. Have mercy on us. Help us to hold firm to Your gift of grace. Help us to see clearly through the deception that lies in our heart when we think we have to earn that prize. This we ask in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Whose sacrifice on the cross brought together what had been apart. Amen.