Good EnoughSample

My father never thought I was good enough.
With his harsh and derogatory words, he made it clear that I was worthless.
He also physically hit me from time to time.

He terrified me.

Instead of turning against him, I would try to impress him. This led to mischief; I would commit robberies, steal things, and resell them. Every time I got out of jail, the disappointment in his eyes was even greater.

I had to do better. I had to make it bigger.
And that "bigger" became dealing drugs, especially the party drug XTC.

A success because I quickly made a name for myself in the drug world. In no time, I had tons of money and prestige!

But you know what?

I was also miserable to death.

Because despite all that money and prestige, I still wasn't good enough. Plus, I was heavily addicted to cocaine and lived in constant paranoia.

In the end, I was arrested again and spent ten years in jail. At that low point in my life, God came to me and said, "Johan, it doesn't matter what you have done. You are good enough because Jesus paid for your sins." Then God brought me out of the darkness and put me in the kingdom of his Son (Col 1:13).

That same God also welcomes you with open arms.

He is the father of the parable of the "Prodigal Son" (Luke 15:11-24). In that story, the runaway son receives a festive welcome from his father upon his return, against all odds.

And so does your heavenly Father when you come to Him.

It doesn't matter what you've done or where you come from. He gives the same gift to everyone: the grace of Jesus. Because when you accept Jesus, you are free from sin.

Do you believe that?

I was having a lot of trouble seeing myself through God's eyes. A rat who had done so much wrong. Who only coveted prestige, power, and money.

But God's unconditional love applies to everyone. For me. For you.

He formed you already in your mother's womb. He imagined you to have a place in this world. To build His Kingdom.

He loves you.

He believes you are good enough.

So good that you can be His child.

That's wonderful!

A child of the Most High God.

Today, I challenge you to look at yourself through His eyes.

What's the prayer that comes to your mind? Pray out loud for Him.

Blessings,
Johan