It is their first year of gymnastics and the learning is fast. I watch from the parent observation deck and listen to the sounds of trampoline springs and watch coaches effortlessly present technique to copy. The girls jump up on the balance beam with arms stretched out wide. I watch their faces concentrate, their bodies lean and toddle and center again. They walk timid on four inches across. The balance takes effort and focus and drive.
I used to think this Jesus walk was a lot like this balancing – receive the grace over here, but be sure to measure up over here. I need help with this stuff, but this stuff I can handle on my own, thanks-but-no-thanks. But the more I try to do it that way, the more tired I become. Balance implies I have control. Balance implies inhibition. The whole goal of balance is to keep you from falling. But perhaps falling is the very thing we need. There is only grace, all grace. There is no Be careful not to get carried away with too much grace.
Too much? Really? Carried away is exactly what we need. I am finished with running around and trying to earn it or be worthy. Instead of arms outstretched to prevent the fall, I am open hands and needy heart and willing. I am not getting carried away. I am being carried away by this grace that is lavished and given for free, over and over, to this girl who doesn’t deserve.
Contrary to what some may say, that doesn’t lead me to apathy or license to do whatever thing I want because I can (though there is grace for that, too). Instead, true understanding of this favor leads me to my knees, to dependence, to humility, to arms raised up in thankfulness and head bowed down in peace.
How do you feel about this issue of balance when it comes to grace? Are you timid to be carried away by it?
Funny thing about this post…it’s exactly how I have felt much of my life. I grew up in a Baptist church and fear was the number one thing that kept me from doing things…good and bad! We use to sing a song in Bible School..”If the Devil doesn’t like it, he can sit on a tack”, strange concept I know, espeicially for a child. I always felt I had to earn grace..and now at 51, I know it’s always been there for me. I have learned how to accept it without thinking I had to do something spectacular to earn it.
Thank you so much for this series, I have been reading it every evening and it seems like you took the words right out of my mouth…. Thanks again!
deb´s last [type] ..FALL
I agree….balance and grace seem somewhat contradictory in my mind! Because Grace is unmerited…we can’t, didn’t earn it…we are automatically thrown off by it…because it is opposite of what we expect! We need to be knocked over by it….flooded by it (at least I do!!!)…….Love this series, thanks!!!! BTW….gave you a blog award on my blog! NOOOO pressure to follow the rules, but just wanted you to know I appreciate your writing, and honesty!!!!
Danielle Cevallos´s last [type] ..Blog Awards
I’ve been thinking so much about grace lately. I can’t do it on my own!! I used to think that was something I shouldn’t admit, God has shown me more and more, that’s exactly what He wants from us! Thanks for writing this!!
“Instead of arms outstretched to prevent the fall, I am open hands and needy heart and willing.” Love this. Changing our posture can change our attitude. And the reference to Romans 6:1-3 perfectly balances it all out.
Southern Gal´s last [type] ..Pumpkin cravings
You know, when you started this series I thought “Oh good. Grace. I love grace–this will be good.” I go to a church that teaches from a perspective of grace. I’ve read books. Subconsciously, I’ve probably thought that I “get it” now simply because I know so much more about grace than I used to know. But this daily posting is making me think. Really think. Living shows what we really believe. And how I live? It’s like I don’t know much at all. I do a lot of balancing, a lot of “God helps those who help themselves” sort of functioning. I saw that on a church sign recently and scoffed. But you know what? In any given moment, that’s how I operate.
Have I told you how much I need this series? : )
Scooper´s last [type] ..The Perfectionists Guide to Domestic Imperfection
I love it. Thinking and writing about this for a month is reminding me of so much truth that I forget to remember all the time. It’s so good. For me, too.
emily freeman´s last [type] ..31 Days of Grace – day 14 carried away
I don’t know why but as soon as I see the word Grace, I fumble. The word trips me up. I try to figure it out. I want a definition, a concrete picture. I understand it in context but I need to clarify it. I think I need some Grace in regard to this : ) and less control.
Dana
LOVE this!!! Thank You God for your Grace!!!
Mrs.B´s last [type] ..Busy!
One of my all time favorite quotes is “To find balance is to be centered in the Lord”. Thanks for the wonderful post. I’m taking a double dose of grace today!
God’s blessings,
Sarah
Sarah´s last [type] ..Easy Halloween Decor
I Just stubbled upon your site at the beginning of your journey with Grace. Very well put. I agree with you, that though we try so hard to understand we will never even scratch the service of Grace.. I can’t help but to think about love,when it comes to grace though – without grace we can’t love, but without love it’s impossible to have grace… or is it?
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, I truly enjoy the read.
MB
I love this.
Such perfect words about His overwhelming grace that I constantly need to be remined of.
This post reminds me of TeriLynne Underwood’s series on living the unbalanced life. I love what you say about having balance implies I have control. SO TRUE. And who am I kidding? I will never be “balanced” and have it all together all the time! Who does, really? I will fall…really need to fall because I need Him.
And I echo what Scooper said…I need this series, too! So thankful for you!
i love that you reminded me that Gods grace is lavished and given for free…again and again and again!! man, that is almost too much for my little mind to comprehend…especially when i so don’t deserve it. i’ve been thinking about the way i was brought up alot lately(very legalistic), and how its skewed my view of God. as my kids are now going through and facing and questioning things that i did as a child, i so want to teach them to not just “taste” God’s grace, but to feast on it. how do i do that?? still learning! may these sisters in christ be totally and completely carried away in God’s grace!! thank you emily for sharing. i’m emailing you now, because i have a random question…
I found your site through the maze of the blogging world and have really appreciated what you are writing here. I too am learning about God’s grace daily and am excited to learn more because the more we are able to receive (not just learn about) the more we are able to give. And I really want to be able to give more grace to myself, my family, and my friends. Grace is so beautiful.
The balance, oh the balance
I accept the grace and finally FINALLY admit I am bereft of merit
How you can write what I am thinking – that’s writing!
The good news is there there is hope for this stubborn, wayward, and perennial prodigal.
Grace – I’m lapping it up lately like a dog at his water dish just as he comes inside from 100 degree heat.
Thank you for pointing me to the water dish.
Craig
I guess I AM a little timid… I try to remember to Let Go and Let God, but sometimes I am afraid to do the letting go. It is a journey this walk of faith and I learn a little more about trusting Him if I DO let go every day.
Kim´s last [type] ..Punkin lovin
Wow. This one hit me right between the eyes. I KNOW these things about grace… but just recently I have definitely been trying to balance. Thank you sooooo much for sharing.
Right now I feel so out of balance and I don’t know what to do about it. Except pray. There is lots of praying.
Hi Emily, I just wanted to let you know that I’ve really appreciated your 31 days of grace!
Your heat is beautiful and God is using you. I appreciate your transparency and desire to share truth. I hope it’s ok that i just linked to your page in my last post. 
xo-kimberly renee
shoot i feel so honored. youre the greatest and i love your words. such truth that i need to hear.
“Perhaps enlightenment dosen’t come in a bolt of lighting, but rather through a series of tiny illuminations; alone hardly news worthy, but taken together widen the aperture through which we allow ourselves to view the Divine” Kathryn Moseby
Reading your wondering over having vanilla jellybeans to share rather than a gob of glory, reminded me of this quote, and how simply God loves us.
Your writing is lovely, thank you.
Oh I love this! And also, the whole balancing thing and the fact that the girl in the picture is not standing on a balance beam, but something much wider, reminds me of Psalm 18:36 and 2 Samuel 22:37… “You provide a broad path for my feet so that my ankles do not give way.” How sweet I find that promise.
At times in self righteousness and self condemnation we dwell on the fact that the path is strait and narrow and we forget this little promise of provision from our gracious God. I’m being carried away too!!! Yippee! Thanks for the post. 
I feel frustrated when it comes to balance, especially knowing that I’ve been balancing grace all this time. Sigh. When do I receive it? When do I give it away to others? How do I manage both? How do I become all that God’s created me to be, without going one way or another? Will I become a robot, or the other extreme – live by my flesh. How do I stop balancing grace, receive it and just be? I want to be carried away by grace more and more, I don’t know how! How do I just “let and trust”?