But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power may rest on me. (2 Corinthians 12:9, NIV)
Fans love it when tour players are mic’d up. It’s a chance for fans to feel closer to the action and, hopefully, get to know the athletes better. Few players, however, are keen on the idea. Many see it as a risk not worth taking, and in today’s viral world, it’s easy to understand why.
It’s humbling to be part of the Links devotion-writing team. Especially when I know all that would be revealed if I were to be mic’d up for four days. The idea of someone being able to hear everything I mutter under my breath behind the wheel or when I’m in a particular tizzy makes me cringe.
This past Sunday, our pastor talked about making sure the sweet water of the Spirit flows out of our mouths and not the bitterness of the enemy. I had to jot that down because I often let a complaining spirit take hold and linger too long, especially when working on the road.
The Bible talks often about the tongue. Proverbs 15:4 says, “The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but the perverse tongue crushes the spirit.”
For Christians who serve an all-knowing Father, all the world is a “hot mic.”
I set out to write about the importance of guarding our words, deeply convicted by my own, and then a wise friend reminded me of the broader point: The grace that covers that sin.
In his book, The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God, the late Tim Keller said, “The gospel is this: We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope.”
As we all strive to clean up our acts in various ways, don’t lose sight of the fact that God hears it all – and loves us just the same. We didn’t earn that grace; it was undeserved and freely given.
What a beautiful message to breathe in and pass along.
PRAYER: Father, thank you for loving us deeply despite our sins. Thank you for the ultimate sacrifice on the cross. Forgive us for the things we say and do against the light.