one word bible study method

I have never tried blogging before, but I tend to enjoy reading them. So, here it goes. I have a feeling that the title of this blog is going to change often, based on what the Lord is teaching me in the moment. In this case, gracefully gracious is just a little about what the Father has been speaking to me in the most recent weeks. The Father is continuously filling me with his grace and showing me how and where to let that grace overflow graciously in love to those around me. 

I just finished reading Louie Giglio's book, I am not but I know I am, for the second time. It is a phenomenal book about the story of the God, and the fact that I am not the center of the story (because I am not God). I am deeply loved by the center of the story (I AM or God), but I am not the center. In the book, Louie Giglio discusses something called the one word bible study method. It is an intriguing way to look at verses in the bible in which you prayerfully meditate over one word of a verse each day until the Father reveals his grace and goodness and wisdom in that word. So, I decided to try it. The verse I chose is from my devotional for the day. It is: 

 "Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." 

                                                                -Proverbs 16:24

Using this verse, my first word to contemplate is gracious. Luckily, I had a six hour bus ride home from a trip today to think about this word, and it has blown my mind what the Father has revealed to me. 

First, the word gracious is used here as an adjective. Meaning it is describing a noun. Today, I was blown away with the thought of that word being used to describe people and their actions in this world. Would people describe me as a gracious person? Would I describe others as gracious in this world that is so fast-paced and quick to judge? Sometimes? Often? All the time? I think the Father is teaching me to keep my eyes open and to be gracious towards people in all circumstances. Not so that people will see me and describe me as gracious, but so people will see the Father in everything that I do and He will get the glory.

Second, the word gracious can be defined as being courteous or kind. I was overwhelmed by what the Father showed me in the simple meaning of this word. The root word of gracious is grace. The Father is full of grace for His people. The cross is the most powerful example and picture of the Father showing us grace and love. If we have received this grace through Jesus, then do we not have the biggest opportunity to show that grace to others through our love and our service by being gracious to people all day long every day?

I want to be so aware, overwhelmed, and full of the grace that Jesus has shown me that I can’t help but have that grace overflow into all areas in this life that the Father has blessed me with by being gracious in everything that I do.

-I am not