Sometimes our best still comes up short. No matter how hard we try there is still a gap between what we’re able to accomplish and the deep desires longing to be fulfilled. This is by design and it’s not a mark of our incompetence.
Without a doubt, we like coming through for others – at work, at home with our wife and kids, and even throughout our communities.
We’re quick to take action whenever someone is disappointed or things are not as they should be. There’s much to do and it brings us great joy to know we can make an impact for good.
But sometimes we assume more than what is ours to own and then we beat ourselves up when our efforts are not enough.
It’s clear we have a part to play in bringing more life and goodness into the world. And our practice of love allows others to experience a taste of God’s love for them as well.
But it’s also true we can never take the place of God.
Many of the problems we face and the desires we long to fulfill can only be completely satisfied by God alone.
And we only frustrate ourselves when we believe we can fulfill these desires for the infinite with our finite capacities.
This is not an excuse to become lazy or to give up our part to play.
But it is to free us from the pressure of believing we can do it all on our own. In many respects, our best will never be enough to meet all the needs before us.
We must still look to God. And humbly point others to him as well when they look to us to do what only he can do.
Accepting this grace allows us to keep showing up and offering everything we have – knowing the ultimate desires are not our burden to completely fulfill.
Give everything you have to your life and relationships. And learn to rest in the grace that you’re not enough, but God is.
Photo by Chris Benson on Unsplash
