Grace for God’s Good Kids

I have often wondered: Is there grace for God’s good kids?
I always thought the only answer to a request—especially a “good” request—was “yes.”

• Would you show up an hour early on Sunday morning to set up chairs for worship?

Yes

• We need more people to serve coffee and doughnuts between services. Could you help?

Yes

• Jane is stepping down from teaching Sunday school. God told me you’re our next leader. Can you start this Sunday?

Yes
At one time or another, I’ve been asked all of the questions above. My answer always resounded: yes.
I’m not sure I even knew how to spell “no”… much less pronounce it. Besides, good kids say “yes”. Right?
For me, that answer is wrong.
Here’s the truth God spoke into my heart.
Saying “yes” to every request led me into the valley of the shadow of people-pleasing.
But God loved me too much to leave me there.

The unforced rhythms of grace for God’s good kids

He showed me the unforced rhythms of grace for good kids.
He taught me how to say “yes” to His best and “no” to the things that He wanted to use to be a blessing to someone else.
He bought my freedom to say “no” to less than His best when He said “yes” to The Cross.
He sought me in the valley of the shadow of people-pleasing.
And with His Victorious Right Hand He tilted my quivering chin up to meet His steadfast eyes and whispered, “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in all the earth” (Psalm 46:10, NIV).
Because of His precious grace (getting what I don’t deserve), I realized I had been seeking the glory for all I had done. The good thing to do was let Him have the glory for all He has done.
Because of His unwavering mercy (not getting what I deserve), He lifted me from the shackles of the valley and forgave me for being selfish. The good thing to do was walk forth in freedom.

Is there really grace for God’s good kids?

As the pressures of life stack up relentlessly, we may often wonder: Is there really grace for God’s good kids?
The unequivocal answer is “yes.”
In ministry, in life, in work and all around the world, there are needs.
Valid Needs.
Questionable needs.
Heart-breaking needs.
In a world where Christians are called to “act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with {their} God” (Micah 6:8, NIV) it is often difficult to discern the difference between a “God thing” and a “good thing.”
What needs are you called to meet?
What’s the difference between being a good kid and God’s kid?
To hear another story about the struggles and successes of being a good kid, visit ProfessionalChristianCoachingToday.com and listen in on part one of Chris McCluskey’s interview with Kim Avery.