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I have a complicated relationship with the word “enough.” As a writer by trade, one part of me understands the empirical value of all words. But another part of me doesn’t care about all that, and just hates how the word “enough” is continually used to place finite, human limitations on infinite, divine principles.

Like grace.

What do we mean when we say grace is enough? I read it in devotionals, hear it spoken by spiritual leaders, see it engraved on rings, and watch it being tattooed on people’s flesh. But what does it really mean?

Grace is enough to redeem us. Grace is enough to save us. Grace is enough to restore us.

True, but isn’t it so much more than that? Grace does not just save, redeem, and restore. It empowers us. It carries us into new realms of possibility we would not dream of accomplishing even when not completely buried beneath the deluge of our sin. Grace is not just a pulley system that drags us up out of the pit of despair, plops us on dry ground, and gives us a kiss for good luck.

If that is grace Paul would have just turned around on the road to Damascus. He would have gone back home, given up his pursuit of the Christians, and lived a quiet, contented life. But that is not what grace does. He writes:

“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.”

— 1 Corinthians 15.10 NIV

But these are all just words, and grace is so much more than words.

Grace is power. Grace is action. Grace is the story of Rick and Dick Hoyt.

Rick and Dick make up a father-son team that has participated in 72 marathons and over 255 triathlons since the 1970s. This on its own is a feat most people would not even attempt, but the added catch here is that Rick has a condition that prevents him from being able to walk or talk. This means that every time they have competed since their first 5K run, Dick has carried his son through every mile of their journey. This is their story of grace.

At the end of the day, it would have been enough for Dick to ensure his son was well fed, properly clothed, well cared for, and adequately happy. But that is not what grace is. As handicapped as we are by our sin, our mistakes, and our own humanity, through God’s grace we can traverse great distances and accomplish supernatural feats.

If we call out to him with even half a breath His Son will come, His Holy Spirit will come, He will come. Because His grace is more than enough.

Contributor: Jordan N.