“We are all desperate, and that is in fact the only state appropriate to a human being who wants to know God. Having fallen from the absolute Ideal, we have nowhere to land but in the safety net of absolute grace.” – Philip Yancey

When we’re good at something, we like doing it. So, we lead the team, build the cabinet, make the meal, give the speech, or fund the project. We like to feel useful, and we announce that we’re “giving back”.

But, there’s the thing: To be able to give back on a spiritual level, we must first receive, and for many of us that’s harder than giving.

When we’re on the receiving end, it means we have a need we can’t meet on our own. It’s much more comfortable to be the giver! We treat God that way, too. We think that when we give gifts or do good deeds, we earn his favor, but it doesn’t work that way.

Instead, we have to understand how spiritually desperate we are and to gratefully receive his undeserved grace. It’s hard and it’s humbling, but when we ask him, he’ll give us new life and the ability to serve him and others on new level. Our motive to give then changes from seeking approval to showing love. And when we do what we are spiritually gifted to do, the results are life-changing for us and for those to whom we give.

But, first, we receive God’s grace. He’s ready when you are.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” – Ephesians 2:8-10