It’s Never Enough

I’ve been posting a bit less frequently on the blog lately. But, I needed to take a few minutes today to write down my thoughts on something that I’ve been grappling with: The best effort that I can give–the best that I have ever done–still feels like it’s never enough.

I read devotionals that challenge my relationship with God. I never doubt Him. But, I am so easily placed in check over my own motivations. Am I pursuing His hand or His heart?

Accepting My Dependence

Pride wants me to believe my life pleases Him. And, that the sacrifices which I offer out of the overflow of my time, money, and energy are ‘enough’. But, humility is accepting my continual dependence on God.

There is never going to be ‘enough’ that stems from my thoughts, words, and actions. Oh, to be more mindful of that! What comes from me is not righteousness.

So, why then does my mind so readily want to focus on the good that I see my hands doing? I am not the source of the good things He does through me. James wrote that every good and perfect thing comes from God.

Billy Graham said it this way, “We are not cisterns made for hoarding, we are channels made for sharing.” I am not the source of the living water I carry and distribute to others; I have no water to share, apart from Him.

It’s Never Enough

Yet, we see this message of our inherent goodness preached constantly within secular culture. People fight the message that it’s never enough by declaring, “You are enough.” You’re good enough. So, don’t listen to the messages or the people who say you don’t measure up.

Most of the messaging I’ve seen like this relies on one of two primary untruths. The first is willful ignorance. Ignore the totality of the truth, and simply focus on the good you do. The second is to project the blame for your own choices onto others who have harmed you.

I think the givers of this advice mean well. Everyone can see the disastrous effects of internalized shame on an individual. It’s makes it harder to break out of problematic behaviors when you believe that you are the thing instead of you did a thing.

God doesn’t want us to live in shame, either. But, truthfully, we must accept responsibility for our sinful choices and take responsibility for them. The price of forgiveness was such that, though it is never withheld, we should not take it lightly.

So, how does a follower of Jesus not fall prey to shame with the realization that nothing they do will ever be good enough? Acknowledge your failings and accept that you are forgiven. You have never been defined by your actions–you are defined by His love.

The good news of the gospel is not that you measure up. It’s that you don’t have to.

So, when I am struggling with this issue, I give myself a reset. I set my eyes on what he has already done. My actions are not relevant. Focusing on Him energizes me to continue telling others about the way His love has changed my life.

Prayer for Today

My prayer for today is one of gratitude for the way that He has already begun to reshape my thinking. I ask that God would open my eyes to further truths about my relationship with Him, how He views me, and how He wants me to view myself.

I am resolved to continue surrendering my doubts, anxieties, fears, and yes–my pride to the cross. To make my faith less and less focused on myself, and more on loving Him and others.

Verses about It’s Never Enough

“Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” James 1:16-17 (ESV)

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” 1 John 1:9-10 (ESV)