* Measure

…with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.

Matthew 7:2b NKJV

I know people who cook by throwing a little of this and a pinch of that and a shake or two of the other and voila! Perfection… I’m not one of those people. In my whole life, I can count on one hand (with fingers left over) the number of times I’ve actually produced something edible using that method. However, give me a recipe with measurements and I’m good to go. Sometimes I even increase the measure of a certain ingredient or two to enrich the flavor. I feel confident doing that because I know the base measurement.  

I understand how important measurements are and not just in cooking. I used to be a carpenter. You’d better know how to read a tape measure AND have one suited for the job. A 36-inch door will not fit in a 35½-inch frame. Oh, it may hang, but it won’t close. Nor will a six-foot, flimsy tape measure be the best help when building an eight- or ten-foot anything.

I've been thinking about the immeasurable amounts of God’s astoundingly generous grace and munificent mercy in my life. It overwhelms me. I am humbled beyond measure when I take the time to consider what God has done for me. And then I considered the times I’ve had less-than-loving thoughts for or about others – the grudgingly-offered grace or the miserly measure of mercy I bestowed. Throwing a little of this and a pinch of that…

God set the base measurement for mercy and grace. He gave His all for all. Should we do less? We need to be able to read His measure so that we have what we need to do the tasks that have been assigned to us. Measure for measure.

Prayer:

Father,

          You are measureless. Your footsteps too large, Your love too much, except by Your grace. Help us to live and give our lives by Your measure. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.