Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Grace Wins. Every time!

Have you ever made a mistake and then spent days, months, or even years tearing yourself down and hating yourself for it?

I'm a bit of a perfectionist. I'm an over-achiever in many areas of my life. I suppose it shouldn't surprise me then that I overachieve in not only making mistakes, but punishing myself for them. And because I am a perfectionist and a rule follower, when I break the rules (i.e. living a secret life of sin for 7 1/2 years), I am my harshest critic. I heap insult upon insult upon myself, and I bear a very heavy burden of guilt.

I am grateful each day to God for teaching me how to properly deal with the guilt and shame that was so much a part of my life for so many years. It is still a struggle, when I make new mistakes, but it's a process, and I grow stronger every day. Because I am no longer walking in my own strength. I am no longer seeing myself through the lens that for so many years defined me. My sin and my shame no longer have the grip on me they had.



So this morning, as I listened to Matthew West's new album, when this song came on, I couldn't help but really feel the truth in the lyrics. And I wanted to share this song with you and hope that no matter what you're going through and what kind of burden you are carrying, that you would look to God, look to grace, and believe that grace will win. Every time.

I'm living proof.




In my weakest moment I see you
Shaking your head in disgrace
I can read the disappointment
Written all over your face

Here comes those whispers in my ear
Saying who do you think you are
Looks like you're on your own from here
Cause grace could never reach that far

But, in the shadow of that shame
Beat down by all the blame
I hear you call my name saying it's not over
And my heart starts to beat
So loud now, drowning out the doubt
I'm down but I'm not out

There's a war between guilt and grace
And they're fighting for a sacred space
But I'm living proof
Grace wins every time

No more lying down in death's defeat
Now I'm rising up in victory
Singing hallelujah
Grace wins every time

Words can't describe the way it feels
When mercy floods a thirsty soul
A broken side begins to heal
And grace returns what guilt has stole

And, in the shadow of that shame
Beat down by all the blame
I hear you call my name saying it's not over
And my heart starts to beat
So loud now, drowning out the doubt
I'm down but I'm not out

There's a war between guilt and grace
And they're fighting for a sacred space
But I'm living proof
Grace wins every time

No more lying down in death's defeat
Now I'm rising up in victory
Singing hallelujah
Grace wins every time

For the prodigal son, grace wins
For the woman at the well, grace wins
For the blind man and the beggar, grace wins
For always and forever, grace wins
For the lost out on the street, grace wins
For the worst part of you and me, grace wins
For the thief on the cross, grace wins
For a world that is lost

There's a war between guilt and grace
And they're fighting for a sacred space
But I'm living proof
Grace wins every time

No more lying down in death's defeat
Now I'm rising up in victory
Singing hallelujah
Grace wins every time

Every time
I'm living proof grace wins every time

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