Grace - How Sweet It is - How Does Grace Appear? Part 03

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Sometimes grace does not appear in a form that we may recognize. It

may arrive unseen, like the sweet dew at dawn. Grace may burst upon

us likes waves in a torrent of joy, or it may knock at our door

wearing a disguise - a blessing hidden in the clothes of misfortune.

 

Grace manifests in many ways. Protection from accidents or disasters

is one of the most startling ways in which it may appear. But we may

not be always aware when we have been saved from calamity. We do not

know what losses or injuries we might have suffered but for divine

intervention.

 

Through steady spiritual practice we may have earned unknown

respite from at least some of the results of our past actions. Many

instances are recorded of devotees who have been saved from obvious

and imminent disaster by Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Such is the

power of the Lord's grace and the importance of following his

precepts. Baba protects and guides his devotees safely along the

surest path.

 

The most desirable form of wealth is the grace of God. He will guard

you, even as the lids guard the eye. Do not doubt this.

 

Many obstacles to our spiritual progress are better overcome than

avoided. Only when an obstacles is surmounted may we pass to the

next test. The course of events is best left to the Lord. He knows

the safest course for each aspirant. If we rely on the Lord, we will

come to no harm.

 

Rely on the grace of God; earn it and keep it. Then whatever the

strength of the storm, you can survive it without harm.

 

Divine grace does not always appear when or as we might wish. When

we strive to advance spirituality, we must confront the obstacles

which block our way. The best course may be to experience the pain

or suffering, which cleanses us. The process may be painful, but

sometimes pain benefits us the most.

 

" It is grace. Those who suffer have my grace. Only through suffering

will they be persuaded to turn inward and make the inquiry. And

without turning inward and making inquiry, they can never escape

misery " Baba

 

When grace affords us an opportunity to atone for past actions, we

may experience pain and loss. However, the grace of God lessens the

pain and reduces the loss. The suffering may be essential for our

growth and so we must experience it. The Lord's grace reduces our

burden.

 

When a severe pain torments you, the doctor gives you a morphine

injection and you do not feel the pain, though it is there in the

body. Grace is like the morphine; the pain is not felt, though you

go through it! Grace takes away the malignity of the karma which you

have to undergo.

 

Although the burden of past actions may have to be endured, the

grace of God minimizes the pain, or may even eliminate it. Karma is

not an insurmountable obstacle. When we exert our best efforts, the

Lord reduces the obstacle to a size that we can bear.

 

" You may say that the burden of past acts and their inevitable

consequences have to be borne, but the grace of the Lord can burn

that burden in a flash " Baba

 

Grace may manifest in the devotee as noble or virtuous character.

Such character is the most important grace to obtain. Without it all

good fortune would yield little benefit. The greatest grace is that

which makes us virtuous - and selflessly loving.

 

" No more can any faculty of yours hinder your progress.He will

orient of your faculties towards the highest goal; the senses, the

mind, the subconscious, the unconscious, the intelligence - all.

Grace will confer all you need " Baba

 

Continued...Grace - How Sweet It is - Without It There Is Neither

Start Nor Finish - Part 04