Mulholland and the Grace of God 

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast”
Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV UK)

If you’ve ever seen a picture of Los Angeles in Southern California before 1913, then you know just how dry this city really is. It was a desert, a place where nothing really grew. And until William Mulholland came along, that’s all it was ever going to be. But on the morning of November 5, 1913, something happened that changed Los Angeles forever.

By eleven o’clock, 40,000 people had gathered at the base of the newly finished Los Angeles Aqueduct. They had journeyed almost two hours along dusty roads to witness a miracle. A marching band played, a cannon fired, and finally the floodgates opened, unleashing a torrent of crystal clear water down the channel built into the hillside. As it flowed past the crowd, Mulholland shouted, “There it is! Take it!”

But for me, that same phrase so perfectly represents how I feel about the grace and mercy of our Triune God. You see, for the longest time I lived under a very rigid code of legalism. I tried to hit all the right marks, make sure I ate the right food and showed up to the right holidays. But then, my eyes were opened to the miracle of grace.

You see, God’s grace is readily available to us. Through Jesus, we have been brought back into communion with God, by the power of the Holy Spirit. The floodgates are open! God’s mercy is overwhelming in the best possible way! And just like Mulholland said, “There it is! Take it!” That’s the exact way God’s grace is made available to us. It’s always new, always flowing—a new source of life that changes us from the ground up forever. All we need to do is turn around and take it!

I know we’ve had a few draughts over the years here in Los Angeles, but I am so thankful that in Christ, God’s mercy is made new every day. There it is. All we need to do is take it! 

Prayer
Merciful Father, your love for us is nowhere better shown than in your gift of grace. Yes, we go astray; yes, we sin—but always behind your every word and action is mercy and forgiveness when we seek your forgiveness. More, your grace helps us pick up and go on to be more like you, closer to you, truly a child of yours. And this prayer we offer in Jesus’ name is to praise you and to thank you.
Amen

Study by Joseph Tkach

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About the Author:
Joseph Tkach is the President of Grace Communion International (the Denominational name of The Worldwide Church of God UK), and resides in California, USA. You are welcome to attend one of our local Church congregations located throughout the UK and Ireland.  For details of your nearest local congregation, check on our website, www.gracecom.uk under the ‘Churches’ tab, or ring +44 (0)1858 437099.

Contact:
Email:  admin@daybyday.org.uk