Extending Grace (Galatians 5:13)

Working in several companies,  I have witnessed the firing of many employees. The reasons for dismissal are as varied as their personalities: insubordination, incompetence, an unacceptably high error rate. One employee was simply lazy and unproductive. Routine tasks were assigned to this person but it seemed to take twice the amount of time it took other employees to complete the same task. After some discussion with the management team, it was decided that his responsibilities may have been too excessive and this may have led to his unproductivity, attempting to focus upon too many different tasks. It was agreed to limit his responsibilities to tasks that he had demonstrated a prior history of accomplishing in a timely manner. A time schedule was outlined for him for the completion of these tasks. However, even with this reduced workload, tasks that he had previously demonstrated to complete in one hour, now took two. He took advantage of the grace that was shown to him and squandered the opportunity to improve himself.

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
Galatians 5:13

As I reflect upon this employee, I wonder how often I have taken advantage of the liberty and freedom that God allows me as a Child of God? He has provided me a good education, a loving family, and a good job. He has blessed me exceedingly abundantly. How have I responded to these blessings? Do I look for opportunities to witness to others? Do I use my financial resources and seek ways to help the poor and disenfranchised? Do I use my time background to mentor and disciple others?

Sadly, the answer is often no. I, too, like the lazy employee, have taken the freedom that God has given me and squandered it. Every day, I must come before God and acknowledge how desperately I need His mercy and grace in my life. It is only by doing this will I truly begin to live the life that God wants me to live, in complete submission to His will, through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.

Amen!

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.