where waves grow sweet

If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about–but not before God. What does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. Romans 4:2-5

Just before church last week, John was writing a note to a friend. When he pulled a $50 bill out of his wallet to include in the card, I playfully extended my hand to receive it. He looked up, his sea blue eyes catching mine, and gently said “it’s all yours.” The response caught me off guard. Even though I was with him at the bank when he added me to his account, contributed my signature where required, and received a debit card to access the money, the implications that all John’s resources are now mine hadn’t registered. In truth, having left my job and recently run out of my “own” money, his resources are all I now have. It is a fact I feel squirmish about. I want to contribute more than a signature that enables me to use his money. I want to put my own resources in the account and feel deserving of using that bank card. But John sees it differently. In marrying me, he gave up the lines that would divide “mine” and “yours.” He graciously agreed to carry the weight of financial provision. It is a tangible demonstration of his love; a love that goes far beyond money.

I’m sure John thought no more of his simple statement, but it penetrated my heart through the church service. And I still haven’t quite been able to shake it. Not just because of a giving husband, but because it’s a picture of what my Father has given to a far greater extent. I’m equally as – or possibly more – squirmish about receiving His generosity without being able to deposit into the account. I want to earn access, or at least some measure of it; to become deserving of the vast resources at hand. But if it wasn’t God’s way for Abraham, it probably won’t be His way for me. He gave freely and asks me, through faith, to receive freely.

I wasn’t there when Jesus gave his life and opened the account. I had no part of the great deposit made. I can add nothing to it. But when I committed my life to him and become one with him, the lines that divided “mine” and “yours” were completely, totally, eternally erased. All that belongs to the Father, Son, and Spirit is now mine. I get to draw upon every promise made in the Bible. Not in small amounts to avoid making dents to the balance, but in the huge sweeping confidence of one who knows that not only is there no end to His resources, but that each one is multiplied as I use it through faith.*

*John, please note that I do realize the difference between bank accounts in the heavenly places and those at Bank of America.