Do you worry that you are not good enough? Good enough for your boss, your parents, spouse, kids, God? It is such a human thing to compare ourselves to others and in the process either puff ourselves up or tear ourselves down.
You’re probably heard the old saying about taking a knife to a gunfight. The proper weapon to fight the urge to compare is not goodness but humility – true humility. Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-30 (NAS):
Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
“Take my yoke and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart”.
For years I misunderstood what the word humility meant. I equated it to being meek and mild. But to be humble is to see ourselves as we truly are: not puffing ourselves up or tearing ourselves down, but walking in our true calling. Doing this requires a servant’s heart, healthy boundaries, and the willingness to extend to ourselves the same grace God freely lavishes upon us.
For years I suffered under the illusion – and I mean truly suffered – thinking I was not good enough for God. The whole of my faith journey was simply focused on being “good enough.” Good enough not to lose my salvation. Good enough to call myself a Christian. Good enough for God to keep to not be judged by others. But, the harder I tried the more difficult this life seemed to become. For several years, every time I lead worship I heard these words echo in my mind: “If people knew who you really word you wouldn’t be up here.” “You are a fake.” “You are not good enough.” This was both exhausting and defeating.
The accuser – the enemy of our soul – knows that by tricking us into thinking we have to work to earn or keep the free gift of God’s grace he will ultimately drive us to living the life of a Pharisee or a deserter. Either way, he renders the appeal of our faith null and void. Who wants that?!?! But, Jesus’ message to us is different: “Follow Me,” “Learn from Me,” “I will give you rest.” Now that sounds appealing!
To be truly humble is to walk in the purpose for which God created us. Not thinking too much or little of ourselves, but to simply walk in confidence of the call He has placed on our lives. Scripture tells us that Jesus didn’t just take our sin, but that He became our sin.
He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 1 Corinthians 5:21 (NASB)
Wow! By doing this Jesus made us good enough: good enough to follow Him, good enough to receive His love, good enough to shine that love to others. In Christ you are good enough, and in this truth you can rest assured.
