The truth is, you don’t have it all together.

Written by Laurie Coombs on 21/01/2020

Series: Weekly Devotional

Tags: Grace, Love, Distraction, Mess, Adequate

Because you are precious in my eyes and honored, and I love you...

Isaiah 43:4a

If there is one thing I know, it’s that I don’t have it all together. Not a day goes by that I’m not faced with my shortcomings. Thoughts flood my mind continually. Thoughts like:

I shouldn’t have eaten that.

I should have said that differently.

I need to love Travis (my husband) better.

I should have given more undivided attention to my girls.

I shouldn’t have spoken those critical words. I need to be building up, not tearing down.

I should have spent more time with Jesus this morning.

I need a greater passion for the Lord.

I should be loving and serving people better.

And it goes on and on.

I am far from perfect. But you know what? I’ve learned that it’s okay because you see, I serve a big God. A God who sees my mess and loves me anyway. Despite my inconsistencies, despite my inadequacies, despite the fact that I fall short every day, I am loved.

God Bridges the Gap

I don’t hit the mark most days, but I have a God who bridges the gap between where I am and where I ought to be. I have a God who takes me and makes it enough. A God who says, “You are precious in my eyes and honored, and I love you.” (Isaiah 43:4) And all I can say in return is, “Thank you,” as I receive and return a love my actions do not deserve. This is grace, God’s undeserved favor, poured out on His chosen.

In Christ, my "not enough" is enough. Your "not enough" is enough. For we are sufficient in Christ. Jesus is enough.

Draw Near to Him

John 1:16-17 tells us, “For from His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” Jesus told Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9) I wonder if perhaps our weakness is given to us by the mercy of God. If our weaknesses are intended to keep our wandering hearts near to Jesus. Our failures certainly show us our need. They keep us coming back to the throne to receive grace and forgiveness. They keep us humble. They keep us dependent. And isn’t that what it’s all about? Drawing near to God? Living this one life well in close communion and complete dependence on the lover of our soul?

Allow Jesus to work through us

I love how our God turns things on its head. In 2 Corinthians 12:10, Paul writes “For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Strength comes when we honestly and humbly allow Jesus to work in and through our weaknesses. When we stop fighting them and allow God to be glorified in them. I think it’s time to stop pretending we have it all together. I wonder what would happen if believers laid their masks of perfection down and began to admit to this broken and lost world that we still struggle. That we’re far from perfect. It certainly would quell the unbeliever’s hypocrisy argument. Who knows, it might be the breath of fresh air this world is looking for.

Pray this week:

Heavenly Father, I am far from perfect.  Thank you for Jesus who bridges the gap between what I am and what I ought to be.  Please work in me and through me to do your will today.  Amen.  

Life is messy!  What can we pray with you about?