Monday, September 29, 2014

GRACE IS A MANTLE!

 
"His Name is Jesus!"
 
 

How does one define "grace?"

               We are told that "grace" is unmerited favor from God.  It is a gift!  It cannot be earned.  It is given to us in the goodness of God.  Grace is invisible.  And, still, we can see "grace" as it operates through those who walk in purpose for the things of God.

                "Grace" is many things to many people demonstrated through testimony and witness from those who have been captivated by the love of God.

               I cannot remember ever being without "grace."  For a time, I fell away from my Christian roots.  Even then, I discovered "grace" in a conscience that haunted me.  My childhood upbringing gave me a strong foundation.  "Grace" was the life force that sustained me.  It did so even when I did not understand it.

               I returned to my first love, Jesus Christ, and searched with all my heart for meaning and for a life of purpose.  "Grace" in the form of sanctifying power cleaned me up. 

               Something was missing from my life.  I continued the search, until one day I attended a prayer meeting.  A small group of ladies stood to worship the Lord.  When the song began to play, the first notes of the CD ignited a flame in my heart.  I began to sing with the ladies:   "I came to worship you."  This music was different.  I recognized power, healing, love.  I recognized the Presence of the Lord.  Something inside me began to change.  I did not understand fully what it meant to me.  However, I recognized that I received "grace" to enter into God's Throne Room.  This "grace" laid over me, like a blanket of love.  Through one song, I found the entrance into a new kind of worship.  The "Grace of Worship" had become mine.

               This morning in my quiet time with the Lord, I took seriously a posting I read on Facebook the day before.  The Lord is calling us to "Write!"  He wants to speak mysteries to us.  He wants to tell us things that He doesn't tell others.  We are to record these treasures of "grace."  We can share some of the things He tells us.  Other words might be private, for our ears only.  Keeping a journal is our response to "grace."  It becomes "Faith." 

              I began to write in the journal and suddenly I knew the words I would write were important words.  I knew God wanted me to share these words with others.  ---Especially with those worshippers who love God with all their hearts.  These are the words I wrote:

              "The Grace of God is a mantle that we are called to wear.  It is a precious mantle. And, it is one that is fragile.  Even delicate.

 
             It is true that God does not take back the gifts He has given to us.  However, we are covered with a mantle of grace to do a specific work with those gifts and talents.  When we ignore the "Call" our gifts never mature.  We might even prosper in the eyes of men.  However, the vision becomes blurred, either by fear or unbelief.  It is as if the magnificient covering, the Mantle, is packed away.  One might think they do this to preserve the beauty.  Hidden as it is, it cannot be misrepresented.  These lies feed unbelief.
 
            Take out your Mantle!.  Allow Me to place it upon your shoulders correctly.  The majesty and the splendor are Mine.  The "Grace" is yours.
 
           I asked:  What is the name of my mantle, Lord/
 
                          What is the work You call me to achieve?
 
                          I hear one word:  Impart!
 
                        --- Teach others how to "See" by "Seeing."
 
                        --- Teach others to "Believe" by "Believing."
 
                        --- Teach others to "Do" by "Doing."
 
                     I asked:  How do I begin?
 
                     Wait and "See!"  Then, step in!
 
 
Written by Rita Burton
September 29, 2014
 
 
"Itsi too!"
 
   "GRACE" is a Mantle we are called to wear!
 
Images taken from the book:
The Oracles of Quack, Quack Duck
by Rita Burton
 
Available through LuLu Publishing or the Artist.
 


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