Love Lines From God: Grace Ticks

Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:8-9 NLT

She sits graciously on our mantel and does what her maker created her to do.

For nine years, an old Gingerbread clock has inhabited our antique collection. She’s accompanied us through several moves and kept running—except for once. During the three years we lived in the lower part of our state, she didn’t run a lick. I oiled her, cleaned her, and checked to see that all her parts worked correctly. But she wouldn’t tick a lick.

Then we moved back to the area where we had purchased her. I sat her on the mantel in our new residence, moved the pendulum to the left, released it, and listened as her beautiful rhythm once again came to life. She’s been ticking steadily for the last five years. Unlike most spring-wound clocks, she has defied needing maintenance to keep ticking. I know one day her parts will wear out, but for now we enjoy her steady ticks. The clock’s ticks remind me of God’s grace.

Paul knew a lot about grace. He experienced grace on the Damascus Road when he met the risen Christ, but he also enjoyed it every day—even in painful circumstances. An unidentified thorn pestered him. Although he begged God on three occasions to remove the thorn, it remained. God informed him His grace was sufficient for him to endure.

Sometimes God’s grace appears to stop ticking, as my clock did. I chalked it up to worn out bearings or a broken part, but it wasn’t. At a new home and on a new mantel, she purred perfectly. God’s grace never ceases, even when we can’t see it. His grace runs regularly just like our clock. Always in the measure we need, always at the right moment, and always sufficient for our circumstances.

Unlike spring-wound clocks, God’s grace never needs maintenance. It is forever healthy and well-oiled, making it adequate to move us through all life situations.

Other than broken or worn out parts, one thing will cause our clock to stop: failure to wind it. Every seven days, I insert a key into both of its sockets and turn. If I forget, she will stop. Although God’s grace won’t cease to flow, regular spiritual disciplines—prayer, Bible study, meditation, and fellowship with other believers—helps me enjoy it more.

Don’t miss out on God’s grace ticks in your life.

Tweetable: Are you missing God's grace ticks?

Prayer: Father, we praise You for the regular ticking of Your grace in our lives. May we channel it to others.