in Christ alone

"So come, my soul, come and let us go to God by self-abandonment. Let us acknowledge that we are incapable of becoming holy by our own efforts, and put our trust in God, who would not have taken away our ability to walk unless he was to carry us in his arms."
-Abandonment to Divine Providence

I am stealing this quote from my dear cousin, Elisa. It resonated so strongly with me when she passed it along to me last week. I've been meaning to post it on my blog, but alas, life has happened and time simply got away from me.

Nevertheless, I thought this quote was a marvelous thought to meditate on as we have entered the holy season of Lent. No matter what we are giving up, fasting from or sacrificing, we are absolutely incapable of becoming holy on our own efforts. As Paul reminds us, we are saved by grace through faith, not by works, so that NO man may boast.

Please do not misunderstand or misconstrue my thoughts into one who does not participate in Lent or believe in the spiritual disciplines that bring us closer to God. Nothing could be further from the truth. However, as someone who has struggled with the idea that His grace is sufficient, that I am forgiven and that I am fully loved exactly where I am at this very moment, I find it necessary to reflect on the gospel and fundamental certainty that it is no longer I, but Christ who lives in me that allows me to receive salvation. For "I know there is nothing good that lives in me, that is in my sinful nature, for I have the desire to do what is good but I cannot carry it out" (Romans 8). Praise God for His saving grace.

"No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath.
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand."