Are you a grace hunter?

Phillip Foster July 18, 2019

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“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18).

There are numerous explanations for the fall of pastors and Christian leaders, but behind the majority of them are issues of pride. In my work with some of the finest Christian leaders, even these gifted, loved and successful leaders have told me they became too proud.

It was true of many heroes of the faith—Abraham, Moses, David, Peter and even Paul. We see each of these challenging God’s will and direction and, in some cases, choosing their own way. 

Today, Christian leaders struggle with the same disease. When we choose not to follow God or;trust in His direction for our lives and ministries, we will find ourselves in a situation we don’t want to be in.

William Gurnall wrote in The Christian in Complete Armour, “What a sad state of affairs, to suppose that we no longer need the moment-by-moment sustaining grace of God.” That particular mindset places us at great risk of overestimating our own abilities and that is when we are most vulnerable to failure.

Recently, while fishing with a pastor-friend, we discussed the concept of grace and being a grace-hunter. A friend of his had used this term to describe the way he attempted to live his life.  My friend asked what I thought that would imply as to how one would live their life. My answer was based upon what I know is a struggle I have and one that I think many of us deal with in our relationship to God.

It is difficult for us to even grasp the concept of grace because we are so works-oriented.We believe we have to earn everything; there are no handouts. Dallas Willard said it well: Grace while not opposed to effort, “is opposed to earning.” Still, we find it difficult to trust God and that His ways are always best. Or that He would really want to bless us and has our best interest in mind.

Hunting for grace is believing and looking for evidence that God is always good, that He always does want what is best for us and that He always acts on our behalf—even when we experience what may be perceived as failure. 

Also, hunting for grace is trusting and believing that we will find God both able and loving (Psalm 62), and we can always trust Him to be both regardless of the circumstances.

The opposite of pride is trusting in the grace of God that He is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need,  you will abound in every good work (2 Corinthians 9:8). It is trusting His promise, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).  

Even in our fall, we can find grace. And, there again, our pride can get in the way. Gurnall again speaks to us, “Are you unwilling to be in Christ’s debt for your salvation, or too proud to beg his forgiveness?”

The Lord reminds us in Isaiah 55 that His thoughts and ways are higher than ours. Regardless of how it may appear, His word will never return empty or not accomplish what He intended. He boldly proclaims, “It shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”

Photo source: istock 

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Phillip A. Foster, Ph.D., as a psychologist and Director of AuthenticQuest.org, provides spiritual direction, counseling, training and consulting, to those in ministry or other roles of leadership in the church. He is the author of Here's My Heart, Lord; Parent With an Attitude, and Not Good Enough. Learn More »

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