One of my favorite songs to sing anywhere and anytime is “Amazing Grace.” It’s not only the melody that attracts me to this song, but the life changing message it imparts, the unmerited, immeasurable grace of God. Written by an unlikely author, who used to be a despicable slave trader, John Newton was completely changed by God through a terrifying storm at sea. He became a minister and at the end of his life, two things remained intact in his memory: that he is a great sinner and that Christ is a great Savior.
At times, it takes the heaviest storms in life for us to wake up from our deep sleep, to remind us to return to our Maker. I don’t know about you, but it’s during those trials in my life that I draw closer and closer to God. Don’t get me wrong though. Of course we all want easy life, when things are going well, and everything else is on our side. But be warned! Those are the times when we can be so comfortable that we tend to have lapses of memory- when we forget to give God the glory.
“Amazing Grace! how sweet the sound-
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind but now I see.”
Few days ago, I lost some vision on my right eye. There are “floaters” or smoke like strands blocking my vision, like wearing dirty eyeglasses. It didn’t go away. Of course it scared me at first so I went to an eye doctor and after series of tests told me that it’s nothing serious and doesn’t required surgery. That’s a relief! But the bad news is I will have to live with it for the rest of my life and hopefully I will get used to it. It’s amazing though that instead of getting sad about it, I praise God instead that I can still see, even thank Him that the rest of my other senses are intact. I call this “thorn in my flesh” to remind me that I don’t have control of everything. It reminds me to depend more in God's strength and not on my own. It teaches me humility. A friend even reassured me that she believes in miracles of healing and that one day, God will use this affliction for His glory. But I believe that God already heal me. He gives me a clearer spiritual vision. Whether my eyesight gets better or not, His praises will continually be in my lips. Amazing grace, how sweet the sound !
“Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear,
The hour I first believed.”
How sweet to hear the sound of the raindrops. How soothing it is to rest in bed when storms come. How beautiful it is to see a glare of light during the darkest night. How wonderful it is to know that Jesus Christ loves me so much that He gave His life to a lost soul like me. How comforting it is to know that no matter what the circumstances maybe, I have the fullness of joy in God’s presence. His promises alone are enough for me to be filled with peace.
“Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.”
God’s grace is sufficient for me, for His grace is made perfect in my weaknesses.
May His abundant grace and love fill your heart now and forever.
Gloria Tiquia
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What a wonderful testimony, Gloria, to be able to praise the Lord, despite the vision problems. How well you put the fact that we cannot take our health for granted. God gives, and God takes away. But with you, as you say, He has not restored your physical sight as you may well want, but He has given you deeper spiritual sight...This testimony will be a blessing to many. It was to me...Thanks, too for your comment on my article-story about Elijah...Helen
Oh, Gloria... What a great message! Amazing Grace is also one of my favorite hymns and it speaks to my soul in very special ways. It is a confirmation that, despite my sins and weaknesses, God loves me and will never leave me. His grace is all I need and I praise Him for His gifts of forgiveness and salvation! Thank you for this inspired message, dear Gloria! Love, SiS Peggy
