By His Marvelous Grace

Before Christ transformed my life, I walked a sad, lonely road. According to the world, I had it all. However, from an eternal perspective, I was a dead woman walking. Like the Apostle Paul—and all those who call Jesus Lord and Savior—I experienced the life transformative power of Christ and was never the same. 

But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace. Then it pleased him to reveal his Son to me so that I would proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles. (Galatians 1:15-16 NLT)

It is only truly God’s marvelous grace to understand that He chose me before I was born! I often reflect on this truth of God’s Word, thanking God for His provision over my eternity before I existed outside His thoughts. Like Paul, I fully understand the depths of my depravity (see Galatians 1:13-14) and my complete need to be delivered by my Savior. It’s a beautiful concept to embrace, that, despite my sin nature and desires of my flesh, Jesus has transformed me from that old life to a new life in Him!

My husband and I are awaiting our first child's birth together this fall. Our pregnancy has been beautiful, and it’s been so much fun to experience this together. Yet early on, we experienced a subchorionic hematoma—a blood clot between the wall of my uterus and the chorionic membrane. While it was small, it was the scariest time of our lives. For some, this can result in a miscarriage, and for others, like us, your body can absorb or expel the clot and experience no further complications in the pregnancy. 

At the time, we had no idea what our son’s future would be, but we clung to the truth of Scripture that no matter how short or long his life would be, it would bring glory and honor to God. We had to fully surrender our little one’s life to the Lord and trust that no matter the outcome, He was still good.

It was the promise of this Scripture and many others (Jeremiah 29:11; Romans 8:28; Psalm 46:1-3; Psalm 127:3-4) that we clung to as we fervently prayed for the Lord to sustain his life. We asked for complete healing so he could grow into a strong, godly man and proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ—dedicating his life to the Lord before we ever saw his face. 

My husband and I rested on God’s beautiful promise that He chose us and called us to His marvelous grace before we were even born! While we didn’t know the outcome of our condition, we prayed that this also would be a promise for our son and that his life would bring glory and honor to God! 

God answered our prayers in a mighty way, and we’re now in the home stretch of our third trimester, anxiously awaiting his arrival. We’re thankful for God’s provision and pray our son will grow strong in his faith and boldly proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ through his testimony and words. 

Whatever your current circumstances are, you can rededicate your life here and now to the Lord. Acknowledge the marvelous grace He’s extended to you by calling you His child, and rededicate your life and family to His kingdom. 

Heavenly Father, You knew me before I was knit together in my mother’s womb, and by Your marvelous grace, You call me Yours. Let my life be a testimony to Your goodness and faithfulness. Help me walk in obedience and service to You, bringing You all the glory, honor, and praise! In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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Scripture is quoted from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.