Enough

Your grace is enough. It needs no additional deeds or works on my part. Nothing I can do, or will ever be able to do adds to your grace or detracts from it. I cannot sin myself outside it or make myself worthy. This should be a huge sigh of relief to a perfectionists like me who spends so much of my time subconsciously trying to work out the magic formula to getting it all right. There is no ‘getting it right’. The good I do is a reaction to your grace. Those I admire most, the most gracious, those who seem capable of less sin than others are good because of how much of you they allow into their lives. You inspire the difference, we don’t suddenly ‘get it’. Self-acted changes, self-feeding attitudes are key to allowing more of you to spill over into our everyday lives but it’s your presence that prompts this. Your holy spirit that guides us, your love for us orders our paths, you number our days and made the plans. They are already known to you. Every revelation we get is perfect in its timing and perfect in its delivery. I trust that what comes next will have an opportunity to glorify you, every obstacle is key to achieving what you want for our lives. Every small sacrifice to you, every turning back to you, every single prayer for change, breakthrough is heard and is a victory. The victories in the darkest days are victories not because everything gets miraculously better but victory because it’s then that we are walking in faith, then that we seek your face, not restoration in the bottom of a bottle.

Psalm 37:23

Amplified Bible (AMP)

²³ The steps of a [good] man are directed and established by the Lord when He delights in his way [and He busies Himself with his every step].

Ephesians 2:8-9

For it is by free grace (God’s unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment andmade partakers of Christ’s salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God; Not because of works [not the fulfillment of the Law’s demands], lest any man should boast. [It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, so no one can pride himself in it or take glory to himself.]

Lord, thank you that your grace is enough. Thank you that it is free. Thank you it is unlimited, unmerited, unearned and not dependent on my works. Help me to be someone who walks safe in the knowledge of just how powerful that grace is. Enable me to feel that more tangibly daily. To know and live like grace is not just theoretical. Manipulate my heart to live righteously. Harden my resolve to beat temptation. Show me the paths I should take. Narrow them and direct my eyes to them and them alone. Make my life not easy but fulfilling. Increase in me the desire to walk them, to be the me you made not the me I create and try to reinvent. Remind me daily that I am nothing without you, that I need you and have you. Thank you that you are always there, thank you that you never falter or fall. Jesus I’m humbled by your perfection, I yearn for a glimpse of your glory, a touch of the hem of your cloak. Let my heart beat for the causes you call me to challenge. Let my tears flow for the justice you made me to stand up for. Perpetuate my thoughts with who and how I should take your message forward. Align my preferences with building your kingdom. Help me to practically see the hole in the wall where my brick goes. Increase in me the fruit of the spirit and replace absolution with sacrifice and surrender. Today I surrender afresh my desires, the most personal of dreams, the ultimates in my life I hold on to I give to you. Replace my thoughts of undeservedness with joy for the gift you have lavished upon us.

Jesus, holiest of holies. The lamb of God. My portion, my strength, you are enough and I give all I have and know I have given everything. I am comforted that I am safe in you. I need not worry, fear or be afraid. I renew myself in this. Again and again for as long as it takes.

Amen.