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The beauty and gift of grace.
To Live Excellence, grace is a required component to each and every day. While many celebrate the birth of Jesus during this time, it is because of His birth that we are given the gift of grace. God’s love in action towards men who merited the opposite of love. Grace means God moving heaven and earth to save sinners who could not lift a finger to save themselves. Grace means God sending His only Son to descend into hell on the cross so that we guilty ones might be reconciled to God and received into heaven. Whatever you choose to believe in, grace requires the action of another.
I have followed a inspirational training group, Becoming Your Best, for many years. I get an inspiring email every morning, setting my day on the right path – mentally and spiritually. Recently this week, I received one that was a quote from Martin Luther King and it immediately made me think about the word grace. While some may not necessarily connect grace with Dr. King in that he endured constant harassment and violence, it is because of what he endured he continually gave grace.
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
This was the quote, I received and pondered from my daily email. These words of Martin Luther King, which came from his speech on January 27, 1965 in Atlanta, Georgia at the Recognition Dinner prior to receiving his Nobel Peace Prize.
It reminded me of this time – a time of celebrating Jesus’ birth (comfort) in juxtaposition to the time of His crucifixion (challenge). Martin Luther King lived excellence each and every day of his human life. His quote was a perfect depiction of his life. He gave up comfort, to forge into challenge and controversy for the bigger purpose he was Called to fulfill for the benefit of others. That is the gift of grace.
I cannot properly verbalize my revere for this man, who left this earth when I was still an infant, but the grace and excellence for which he lived his life, humbles me. If you follow me on Instagram, you know all too well, that #wordsmatter to me.
I’ve read every word and listened to the 52 minute speech Dr. King gave before the Nobel Peace prize dinner. Our society is in dire need of mighty orators like Dr. Martin Luther King. I’ve included links to his actual speech document (here) and the audio speech courtesy of YouTube, below.
No matter what time of year it is, following the guidance given by Jesus Christ is a gift we can all choose to receive. Understanding struggle and overcoming challenge is something every human deals with and Dr. Martin Luther King is the modern-day example of grace and the “ultimate measure of man.”
Grace be with you!
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