A gift, a gift, a gift.

Church yesterday at City Life for the first time in a few weeks. Boston was under a film of new snow and the city felt especially story-tale. In his teaching, Dr. Um reminded us that faith is in the end not a "virtue" - those who believe do not do so out of exceptional willpower or morality - but rather a gift. We take a step toward faith, we stretch out human hands, and God gifts. But I need to remember this on those many occasions I fall to congratulating myself on good discipline or prayerful mornings. Hello. It's never been me, it's always been His gift.


"How sad our state by nature is! 
Our sin, how deep it stains!
And Satan binds our captive minds 
Fast in his slavish chains
But there's a voice of sov'reign grace, 
Sounds from the sacred word:
"O, ye despairing sinners come, 
And trust upon the Lord."

Hymn ~ O Help My Unbelief