Letting God Be Enough: Why Striving Keeps You Stuck & How Surrender Sets You FreeSample

The world suggests we look in the mirror and tell ourselves all of the reasons why we are enough. Leading psychologists say that to conquer our fear of inadequacy or Imposter Syndrome, you should write down daily all of your skills and qualifications. Cite your past experiences, your resume, recount your former successes. Look in the mirror and tell yourself you are enough. That isn’t bad advice.

It’s just inadequate advice. Pun totally intended.

Because, and you may not like this, we ARE INADEQUATE in and of ourselves. Yes, we should not downplay our gifts and strengths, but apart from Jesus, we cannot save ourselves. 

We cannot cure the addict.

Point the prodigal on the path home.

Force someone to forgive.

Resurrect the relationship.

Unfold our ideal future. 

Cover the debt of our sin.

If we could, then Jesus would not have had to endure the cross, would He? We could fix everything by ourselves.

But He did endure the cross. And He left us here with the Holy Spirit working inside of us. Listen to what Paul says in a letter in 2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV):

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient (or adequate) for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Did you get that? Your limitations are an invitation for God’s limitless power to be at work in your life. 

When God called Moses in Exodus 3, He didn’t unroll Moses’ resume and give him all of the reasons why he was the guy for the job. God could have done that. Moses had quite a lot of reasons he could have stood in front of the mirror in his tent and cited as qualifications. Stephen lists a few in Acts 7:23 for us. 

God could have mentioned all of those things to Moses, which could’ve been nice to hear for a guy who clearly struggled with self-doubt. But God doesn’t do that. In fact, He doesn’t give Moses any props at all. He simply promises His presence.

Moses asks God, “But who am I that I should go to deliver the people?” (v. 11)

What is your “Who am I?” question to God?

Who am I that I should... (go ahead, fill in the blank)

But God I can’t…

But I don’t have…

God, I’ve never done…

But last time I tried…

Those limitations you see as bad are actually good because they invite God’s limitless power into your life. 

God doesn’t give Moses props because the plan doesn’t depend on Moses’ performance. It rests on God’s promises. All of Moses’ limitations had issued an invitation for God’s limitless power to be at work in his life.

Let’s look at God’s promises in this passage:

The promise of presence. God would go with Him. “I will be with you”. (v. 12)

The promise of fulfillment. God doesn’t say, “If you make it out. If you are obedient enough or spiritual enough to hear my voice when I’m speaking”. There’s no if, is there? God says, “When”. From God’s perspective, this will come to pass. No matter what. 

The promise of intimacy. The word “serve” in some versions says “worship”. In other words, Moses would become personally acquainted with God’s worthiness to be worshipped as Moses served Him. He would witness His wonders. Experience the goodness of His character and the greatness of His capabilities. 

Friend, those same promises are for you and me also. 

God’s plan did not depend on Moses’ performance. It rested on God’s promises. And so does your life and so does mine. Your limitations are an invitation for God’s limitless power to be at work in your life.

Question:

How does realizing God purposely gave us gifts and left us areas of lack, change our perspective over our inabilities? 

Personal Prayer: 

Dear Jesus, help me remember that your presence is always with me. Help me grow more confident in both your capabilities and your character.