The Power of Grace

Do you ever scroll through Instagram and feel like everyone else has it more together than you do? That their houses are cleaner, their cars are nicer, their families are more functional, and their faith is stronger? You're not alone. It's easy to compare our behind-the-scenes with someone else's highlight reel. But what if the people we admire—especially the ones in the Bible—weren’t as flawless as we imagine? What if their struggles looked a lot more like ours than we’ve realized?

Consider the so-called “heroes” of Scripture. Moses was reluctant. Gideon was afraid. Esther was an orphan. Elijah was suicidal. David was a homewrecker. Peter denied Jesus. Paul persecuted believers. The Bible doesn't sugarcoat the pasts of the people God used. Their lives were messy, broken, and complicated—but God wasn’t done with them. That’s the point. We don’t get to be useful to God after we’ve cleaned up. We are useful to God because of His grace in the middle of our mess.

Ephesians 2 says that we were once dead — not just struggling, not just off-track, but dead. Like a phone that looks fine on the outside but has no charge on the inside, we were disconnected from the source of life. And yet, that’s not where the story ends. The Bible says, “But God…” Two of the most powerful words in Scripture. But God, who is rich in mercy, didn’t leave us there. He loved us too much to let death have the last word.

God’s grace doesn’t wait until we’re worthy—it meets us in our unworthiness and brings us to life. Ephesians 2:5 says, “He gave us life when He raised Christ from the dead.” Not because we earned it, not because we fixed ourselves, but because He is full of love and mercy. We think grace is for other people, for better people. But grace is for you. It covers your past, your doubts, your addictions, your pride. Grace isn’t afraid of your mess. It steps into it.

And grace is a gift. You can’t earn it, you can only receive it. Ephesians 2:8–9 makes it clear that salvation isn’t a reward—it’s not a gold star or a spiritual paycheck. It’s a gift freely given to anyone willing to believe. You don’t have to strive to prove your worth to God. You just have to trust Him enough to open your hands and say yes. You’re not saved because you’re good. You’re saved because God is good. That truth will set you free.

And here’s the incredible part—God didn’t just save you from something, He saved you for something. “We are God’s masterpiece…created anew…to do the good things He planned for us long ago” (Ephesians 2:10). You were made for more. You’re not an accident. You're not disqualified by your past. You were made to bring light, healing, and hope to others who are still stuck in the dark. You’re not just forgiven—you’re called. You are a masterpiece in the making.

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