Saving grace

"For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time--to show us his grace through Christ Jesus." 2 Timothy 1:9 NLT

In an article titled "Running to recovery: How exercise impacts mental health", Amy De Seyn

described how running improved her outlook on life-something science has backed up. Research found people saw a significant difference in mental health when exercising anywhere from 2.5 to 7.5 hours a week.  In her teen years, Amy says she used running as a way to cope with her volatile home life. But when an injury during her freshman year of college kept her from running, Amy fell into a deep depression and began drinking. Thankfully though, she says she eventually found the happiness she longed for through therapy and a return to running saying, "I found myself always coming back to running. Like that has always been my saving grace."

And you know, while the world would use the term "saving grace" to refer to a redeeming quality or characteristic, the term means so much more. You see, grace is the unmerited favor of God and the very thing that saved us while we were still sinners. Easier stated, grace is what God extends to us when He gives us what we don't deserve... forgiveness and eternal life. And this “saving grace” is nothing that you and I earned or could ever earn. It was God’s gift to us when we chose to believe in his son, Jesus Christ, "because that was his plan from before the beginning of time."

So while running can most certainly improve our mood, the knowledge that "God saved us and called us to a holy life... to show us his grace" should really have us smiling. Won't you tell someone today about this "saving grace?" It might just be the very thing they need to improve their outlook on life and find the happiness they have been longing for.

Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word that gives us such reassurance of your love for us. Help us to be bold in sharing how your grace saves with others that they too might have a renewed hope and a reason for smiling today. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Call it grace - Unspoken
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAMU68NTVQw

http://www.wcpo.com/news/national/running-to-recovery-how-exercise-impacts-mental-health