Almost every day I feel like following Jesus is like holding a taut rope. One the hand I go through my day feeling like my best is not good enough, no matter what I do. But on the other end of that taut rope I feel good about what I do and the decisions I make and I even say to myself, “Thank you, Lord, for giving me a clear mind, a strong voice and lots of emotions — positive and painful — to help me make it through each day. I am well aware that all I can do is all I can do and all I can do is enough.”
I try to start each day remembering the Apostle Paul’s words to the Galatians where he wrote: “For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command — Love your neighbor as yourself.” James agrees with Paul in writing “it is very good when you obey the royal law found in Scripture: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'”
Scripture repeatedly admonishes us to walk in the Spirit and not satisfy the desires of our fallen human nature. The Apostle Paul is clear about this:
“Let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.”
The truth is, our best never is good enough without the lavish grace of God. In this battle between our sinful nature and the Holy Spirit within us, may we increasingly notice the cream of God’s grace rising to the top in our lives, helping us realize, thank God, that all we can do is all we can do and all we can do is enough!
Today, may the Lord cause the fruit of His Spirit to ripen in my life, and in your life — love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. As those fruits ripen may there be a growing assurance of knowing that all we can do is all we can do, and all we can is enough.
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