Lisa Notes: Stretch out in the hammock

Attempts at self-salvation guarantee nothing but exhaustion.
We scamper and scurry, trying to please God,
collecting merit badges and brownie points,
and scowling at anyone who questions
our accomplishments. Call us the
church of hound-dog faces and slumped shoulders.
- MAX LUCADO, Grace

We used to have a hammock. We tied it up at the edge of the woods by the lake. The girls would jump in and play or read a book or just chill.

It meant rest. Ease. Time off.

Like grace. Isn’t it rest? Ease? Time off, too?

These paragraphs on grace by Max Lucado say that to me.

Stop it! Once and for all, enough of this frenzy.
“Your hearts should be strengthened by God’s grace,
not by obeying rules” (Heb. 13:9 NCV).

Jesus does not say, “Come to me, all you
who are perfect and sinless.”

Just the opposite. “Come to Me, all
who are weary and heavy-laden,
and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28 NASB).

He invites us to come just as we are, not as we wish we were. Come when we’re tired, worn-out, and need to stretch out.

There is no fine print. A second shoe is not going to drop.
God’s promise has no hidden language.
Let grace happen, for heaven’s sake. No more performing
for God, no more clamoring after God.

Of all the things you must earn in life,
God’s unending affection is not one of them.

You have it.
Stretch yourself out in the hammock of grace.

You can rest now.

He’s got us.
He’ll support us.
Now. Forever.

* * *

More from Max Lucado’s Grace:

Day 28 of . . .

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fsamons 60p · 659 weeks ago

The hammock of grace... I like that. Great analogy. I love that old picture of Jeff and the girls.
My recent post AN OLD DOG

1 reply · active 659 weeks ago

Lisa notes 103p · 659 weeks ago

I had to go back in the old school archives to find that photo. Must have been before I had a digital camera. ;-) The hammock has long since rotted away.
My recent post Receive your gift of grace

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Lynn Severance · 659 weeks ago

I got the book!

I want to soak in the words re: grace that Max Lucado shares, spurred on from the excepts you have posted for us, Lisa.
I think Max should give you a commission. it seems the graceful thing to do, don't you think?
Right!
My recent post Running and Races

Right, Lynn, I think that would be the graceful thing for Max to do! ha. But I won't count on it. :-)

Glad you got the book and I hope you enjoy soaking in it.
My recent post Receive your gift of grace

Rebecca · 659 weeks ago

Grace is freely given but we have to trust that it's enough so that we'll rest in His grace. Good thoughts!
My recent post I Choose Jesus

"have to trust that it's enough" - excellent point. Without fully believing it, we sacrifice the rest we could be receiving from it.
My recent post Receive your gift of grace

Kara · 659 weeks ago

Love these lines : "Of all the things you must earn in life, God’s unending affection is not one of them. You have it. Stretch yourself out in the hammock of grace. You can rest now."

So true! Resting in His hammock of grace is so peaceful and refreshing. I need to do this way more often than I do! You make want to read this book even more. :)
My recent post Audiobook Review: The Carousel Painter by Judith Miller

I'm still learning to rest in that hammock more, too. It's a process, yes? The book is definitely a good one--easy to read and beautiful concepts to think about.

Thanks for following.
My recent post Receive your gift of grace

PS I'm your newest follower! :)
My recent post Audiobook Review: The Carousel Painter by Judith Miller

firstlightphotos 54p · 659 weeks ago

Lovely analogy. He has so much for us and we try to do it ourselves so often. Great post.
My recent post You have made me happy

I've wasted a lot of energy through the years trying to work, work, work. Not that working is bad in itself, but if we're doing it because we're trying to earn something, we're misguided. Serving out of gratitude for grace makes life much more pleasant!
My recent post Receive your gift of grace