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Grace Washes Through

  • Shannon Owen
  • February 17, 2023
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For as long as I can remember, I’ve had this thought running through my head: Be the best or quit trying.

I know—it sounds like a faux-inspirational quote on an athletic t-shirt. To say it out loud feels ridiculous, but still, the pressure feels real. It’s as if the things I do or accomplish define who I am, and if I can’t be great, well then, I don’t want it to be part of my identity. Because then I feel like an imposter.

No one ever told me this. No one ever expected perfection from me—except me. And I’ve chased an absurd sort of perfection for a long time—it isn’t that I need to be perfect at everything; it’s simply that I feel the need to be perfect at the things that I lean on for identity.

But God. But grace.

I’ve taught grace for a long time; I’ve understood it at the cerebral level. But to let grace into my life and allow it to redefine who I am—that’s powerful, heart-changing stuff. Grace washes through me like a deep, cleansing breath.

Jesus says in John 10:10, “I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” Perfection traps; the way of Jesus liberates. I already have an identity; therefore, I am free to pursue living a life that matters, mess-ups and all.

Failures have helped me see that I can rise again and keep trying; that’s the process of doing things that matter. My dignity and worth don’t come from being the best; they are not trophies to be won. Rather, my dignity and worth are already established; they are the axiomatic foundation from which I can rest in the grace of Christ. Then, I do what He calls me to today—the outcome is the business of my sovereign God.

In His upside-down kingdom, Jesus gives me a name, a purpose, and a place before I do a thing. It’s in His name that I can use my gifts and bring a little light to the people in my world.

Person Not Perception

March 31, 2023

The Appearance of Growth

March 30, 2023
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Shannon Owen

Shannon Owen is a native Texan who lives with her family in Houston. She loves books and coffee, but has a passion for discipleship within the local church. Shannon mentors high school girls and teaches for the women's ministry of Houston's First Baptist Church. She has written and taught for ministries such as Waiting in Hope, Abide, YouVersion, Hope Mommies, and Give Grace. Shannon is married to Lee, and they have two girls, Avery (8) and Kate (4), who take up majority of Shannon's time with snack requests and messy art projects. You can find Shannon on Instagram at @shannonlowen or on her blog, shannonowenblogs.com.

1 comment
  1. Laura says:
    February 17, 2023 at 6:59 am

    ‘I can rest in the grace of Christ,’ something in that sentence made me think deeper. It is what I’ve never thought through, I have had a hard time understanding truly how much God can love me. But, when I do mess up, his grace is there!
    Knowing it but not understanding it, now I do!!! Thank you for your message from above❤️❤️

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