Grace Choices (by Jeff Lucas)

(Amazon UK link)

Since it’s been awhile since I first read my collection of Jeff Lucas books, I’m slowly re-reading some of them, and liking them just as much this time around. The one I’ve been reading over the past couple of weeks is ‘Grace Choices’, a book I first read in 2017, but I hadn’t remembered anything much about it, except that it was a bit more serious than some of the other books by this author.

‘Grace Choices’ is subtitled, ‘Walking in step with the God of grace’, which is quite a claim to make. But the writing is quite pragmatic and honest about the fact that most of us get it wrong at least some of the time. There are nine chapters, after an introductory session explaining why Jeff Lucas decided to write the book. He explained that he saw a lot of people in different circumstances, and that many of them, including some devout believers, felt imprisoned in a wall without a hint of grace.

So the book takes us through different aspects of grace. There’s a good balance of Scripture, personal anecdotes and commentary. The first chapter tries to persuade us to believe the truth that God really does love - and like - each of us, that it’s not just an abstract theological idea. He acknowledges that many people have been badly damaged in their childhoods, through no fault of their own, and that it can be very difficult, sometimes, to believe that the God of the universe really does care about us. 

The book goes on to look at possibilities of changing and maturing. It emphasises more than once the need of forgiveness, not to ignore bad things, or even to stop consequences to the perpetrator; but because forgiveness opens up our hearts and minds, and stops us dwelling on hurt, or potential revenge. 

I was particularly taken with a chapter about seeing God’s grace in day-to-day events, pointing out that we can’t relive the past or see into the future. But we can appreciate what we have, and acknowledge God’s hand in a beautiful sunset, or a flower in bloom, or a hug from a loved one. We can also try to ensure that we become a means of grace to other people - showing God in us, rather than (as can be all too easy) criticising and complaining. 

It’s quite basic: there wasn’t anything new in this book, or anything I had to research further. There wasn’t anything I disagreed with, either; I appreciated the author’s anecdotes and insights, and also found some of the comments to be a useful reminder of grace all around us, and of ourselves showing grace, if possible, to those around us.  

I read about ten pages each morning, which gave me a good chunk of the book to ponder on - and hopefully to recall in the future, even after the book is back on its shelf. Jeff Lucas writes well, without being pushy or authoritarian, and all in all I thought this a good book.

Intended for believers - some familiarity with the Bible is taken for granted. The book is particularly for those who feel insignificant or who find it difficult to relax or laugh, but could be picked up by anyone who would like to know more about God’s grace in practice. 

Recommended.

Review copyright 2023 Sue's Book Reviews