Written by Adrian Patenaude, a contemporary writer, editor, and poet. This is an excerpt from the book “A Beautiful Year in the Bible.”
God not only opens a path forward through divine grace but also brings restoration to every part of our lives. What we perceive as weaknesses or dead ends—whether it’s a career setback, a strained relationship, or a personal struggle—God can transform into strengths and possibilities. The opposing force to grace is the expectation of perfection. We strive for a standard we an never achieve on our own and feel overcome by shame when we fall short. But God doesn’t write us off for mistakes and is infinitely patient with us in the process of restoration and redemption. No one is too far gone or too small to be part of God’s divine plan, which manifests its wonders through even the most unexpected sources. If we think of God as a bridge builder, then God’s grace is the bridge itself—sturdy and reliable, spanning the gap over the vast and seemingly uncrossable ravines in our lives. With God’s grace as our bridge, no obstacle is too great, and there is always a way forward…God’s grace not only builds bridges but also rebuilds. Grace is more than a mere second chance; it is a lifelong restorative process, turning every challenge into a testimony of faith and every individual story into a chapter of a grander narrative of salvation.
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. [Hebrews 4:16]
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