During those times when life starts to get the best of me; situations and circumstances are working against me; my own mind begins to work against me, and it feels like my own heart is condemning me… thoughts of “I’m not enough” begin to beat down on me. I know if I don’t get out in front of that tsunami of emotions, if I don’t take action and allow those thoughts to spiral out of control, that wave will take me down and I’ll drown in a sea of self loathing. Strangely, the way I get on top of it is not by trying to convince myself that I am good enough or employ some other self-help tactic, but by remembering that, when it comes to righteousness before God (ultimately the only One who truly matters), I AM NOT enough. I could never be enough. On my own, in and of myself I am completely and wholely inadequate.
This remembering and confession doesn’t lead to despair though. It reminds me that there is One who is more than good enough, more than adequate, who was and is perfect. And He graciously credits His work to me. Not only do I not deserve this (grace), but the only thing I bring to this relationship is my sin. I am not good enough. He doesn’t make me good enough. HE IS GOOD! He sees who I am, He knows what I bring and He still says “come”.
He fully satisfied God’s wrath on my behalf. He fully paid my penalty. He fully took my punishment. HE was fully and perfectly ENOUGH on my behalf. Because of Christ, I am now fully and completely ACCEPTED and welcomed and WANTED in the family of God.
He chooses us. He loves us. He takes His unworthy, rebellious enemies and makes us His children. He gives us a new heart with new desires. He changes us from the inside out.
How could I not love a God who paid so much and gave so much for my forgiveness and acceptance, when I offered him nothing but my sin and rebellion?
When I dwell on the gospel… now my focus shifts from myself (leading to despair and bondage) to Christ (reliefe and joy); His grace, His love, His mercy, His forgiveness, His kindness, His acceptance. This is the Jesus I love and worship. This is the Jesus I proclaim and invite others to trust. This Jesus offers to everyone “Come to Me. Trust Me. Rest in Me.”
Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.