This week, I have been having a gritty battle with feeling terribly inadequate. I had an argument with my husband and once again, a light shone on my selfishness.
I remember when my children were little, sometimes I would get in my bed, pull the covers over my head and pray that the Lord would save my children from me. Like all moms, I did my best, but I had this misguided idea that once they grew up, all their problems and difficulties would cease. Little did I know that their problems just become adult problems - more complex than temper tantrums and potty training. Maybe if I had just been a better mom...
In my work with Redeemer Christian Foundation, Inc. I am learning just how much I don't know. I've never started a non-profit organization. I need to, but don't grasp Legalese, Excel, Squarespace, and other programs and computer functions. I'm just not wired that way (no pun intended).
So, back to my feeling inadequate...(back to "me" - red flag #1)
The good news is that I am in good company. Moses, when called by God to lead, said, "Behold, I am unskilled in speech (I am a clumsy speaker); how then will Pharoah listen to me." (Exodus 6:30)
Feeling inadequate means that we are lacking the quality or quantity required; we are insufficient for a purpose.
Lacking...insufficient...yep...that about sums it up!
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:12 NIV)
You see, all have sinned, and all their futile attempts to reach God in His glory fail. (Romans 3:12 The Voice)
Interestingly enough, I don't read this and feel defeated. I believe that God gave me this scripture to say three very important things:
*We are ALL sinners/human and feel this way. Welcome to the club
*It is good to recognize your inadequacy. You are...but it's okay
*We are ALL inadequate in and of ourselves...that's why we need Christ
In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul has finished boasting about his sufferings, and now is telling of all the great visions the Lord has chosen to give him. Listen to the note he ends on:
Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But, he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12: 7-10)
Paul, I believe, is saying that lest he get too caught up in himself, he was given a thorn in his side to keep him from being conceited.
Human weakness provides the ideal opportunity for the display of divine power.
I took a closer look at what the Lord says to Paul...
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.
Sufficient in the original Greek is "arkeo"
Arkeo means content enough or satisfied.
Perfect in the original Greek is "teleo"
Teleo means finished, completed, fulfilled, done, carried out
I believe that the Lord is saying that His grace is enough or sufficient for me...but in My weakness that is truly where His power is finished, complete, done, fulfilled, carried out...
The Lord shines or is glorified when I am at my weakest...
In my weakest state...that is when the Lord can really work!
How do I, then, become perfect? By admitting my weakness and that I need a Savior.
I admit and embrace my weakness and my inadequacy.
I need to rely and depend on the Lord for perfection in my salvation and sufficiency in my daily walk.
I need to surrender my PRIDE and embrace HUMILITY...
In My power or in the Lord's power...where do I want to draw my strength?
Do I desire the Kingdom of Me...or do I want the Kingdom of God?
My inadequacy keeps bringing me back to the Lord and isn't that where I need and want to be anyway?
How about you?? Do you ever feel inadequate? Where and how do you draw your strength? What has been your experience when you turn it over to the Lord?
Dear Lord, I thank you that you do not leave me to fend for myself in my weakness. You beckon me to come to you and draw from YOUR strength and perfect power. Forgive me when pride enters in help me to embrace my inadequacy with a humble heart. Enable me to rely and depend upon you so that YOUR glory can shine and YOUR Kingdom come. Thank you for letting me know that I am not alone and that you "get" my humanness. Save me from the enemy who preys upon me in this weakened state. I claim your promise that you fight for me. Through you, and only through you am I made perfect and complete.
I praise you and thank you. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Be blessed...
ps. These are some of the forgotten children and orphans that Redeemer Christian Foundation, Inc. is trying to help. Many Christian schools and humanitarian aid charities operate around the globe, but very few are focused on the Middle East. These children are truly forgotten, but God sees their plight and the terrorism that surrounds them. If you have compassion on these innocents, would you visit us on our website and consider making a donation to let them know that people truly do care??
www.redeemerchristianfoundation.org
RCF, Inc is a registered 501c3 non-profit organization. 100% of your contribution goes directly to the children...thank you!
