Building One Another
THE GRACE CYCLE Vol 9 No 39
November 23, 2010
Dear Friend,
A cycle is a pattern of reoccurring events. Consider the two-stage “Grace Cycle” of the first words of the Doxology, “Praise God from whom all blessings flow.” Stage One: blessings flow from God to us and Stage Two: thanksgivings flow from us to God and round and round it goes.
In his encouragement to the Corinthian Christians, Paul also describes a three-stage Grace Cycle:
“You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us.” II Corinthians 9:11*
Stage One: you will be enriched in every way. This Thanksgiving spend some quiet moments cataloging the vast number of ways our Lord has enriched you in the last year with the gifts of the people, events and things in your life that blessed, encouraged and cared for your life.
Stage Two: for your great generosity. This Thanksgiving consider all the ways you have been a blessing in the lives of other people through your presence and contributions to their well-being with the gift of your involvement in their lives.
Stage Three: which will produce thanksgiving to God. This Thanksgiving offer your thanksgiving to the Lord who loves you for the people, events and things God has brought into your life. Be thankful for the people whom God has blessed through you and who in turn offer thanksgivings for you and for the Lord who loves them.
The Grace Cycle never stops. The Lord who loves you never stops pouring grace, blessing and love into your life and works to pour that very grace through you into others and through them into still others all of whom respond with thanksgiving.
“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” II Corinthians 9:15
Happy Thanksgiving - E. Stanley Ott
Copyright 2010 E. Stanley Ott
*Scripture from the NRSV