Why we never need to be good enough

Photo by Alexandre Perotto on Unsplash

Preaching a message recently on Jesus being the author of gender equality reinforced an idea: I will never be good enough to preach such a message.

You see, I will always be a man. I will always see from an unbalanced viewpoint — either too much for women or too much against, or just unable to see properly from a woman’s viewpoint. Of course, this is okay. God made me a man. And the women who heard the message were encouraged. It is enough. Though I am tempted to think it isn’t enough.

It is a time to remember.

Good enough is knowing I never need to be good enough.
That Jesus was enough for all eternity for all who are not good enough.

There are so many things at which, and situations where, I am not good enough.

There are times and situations where we would all like to be more. But we must accept we are not.

It is a good reminder that in many different ways I never need to be good enough — in other words, I don’t need to rise to the standard my perfectionistic pride would set for myself. It is only ever the shadow of myself — the one who is ashamed that I’m not perfect — that asserts himself. I am more than that shadow. I am the redeemed new creation in Christ Jesus. And so are you.

Why is this liberating concept a concept of the grace found only in the gospel?

Well, let me present an eternally assuring truth for which I am ever thankful — here it is:

At times when I don’t feel I’m enough,
I defer to what Jesus did,
and I know that, IN HIM, I’m always enough.