The world says that I am good enough, that I should be proud, and that I am powerful. They teach that I am essentially good by nature, that I am capable of whatever I set my mind to, and that my thoughts and my voice are my contribution to society. They would have me believe that I am sufficient, that I should have confidence in myself, and follow my dreams.
But reality tells a different story, that I am not good enough. Pride invariably leads me to fall, and I am weak in every way. To say that I am inherently good is a lie, and I know it. I am regularly reminded of my incapabilities. The world doesn’t really care about my thoughts and my voice, contrary to what they say, and even if they did, I’m not sure they should. My thoughts and my voice are often a source of embarrassment for me (just being honest). I know better than to think that I am sufficient for anything. I know myself well enough to know that any confidence in myself is misplaced. My dreams aren’t what they were yesterday, which aren’t what they were the day before that, and so on.
The Lord has spoken about me, and He has spoken for me. He said that even though I’m not good enough, He is (2 Corinthians 5:21). He says that He gives grace to the humble and is close to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18). He said that I can be content with weakness; when I am weak, then I am strong, because of Him (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). He said that there is none righteous (Romans 3:10-12, 23). He said that, without Him, I was without hope (Ephesians 2:12-23). He said that my heart is deceitful above all things (Jeremiah 17:9). He said that I should have no confidence in the my own ability (Philippians 3:3). He said that I was created for good works that He has already prepared for me (Ephesians 2:10). He, whose Word and authority are final, has spoken for me. He said that my life is hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3).