Commitment and Discouragement

There are two things I've learned that go hand in hand...
Commitment and discouragement.

It seems like anytime I commit to something that is honoring to God, (be it teaching Sunday school, "cracking down" on a habit/issue I struggle with or in a child's life, agreeing to something "bigger than myself"...) along comes the discouragement. I positively detest the devil's tactics and persistence. I don't typically shy away from confrontation, but when I'm bombarded with it from nearly every angle, I get weary and begin to feel beaten down.

Recently, we made a commitment that has seemed to bring out the "big guns" of discouragement. Feelings of not being enough: good enough, tidy enough, scheduled enough, spontaneous enough, kind enough, patient enough. Enough, enough, enough. Never enough.

I am reminded, however, that nothing I do will ever be enough. I cannot live a good enough life, have a tidy enough house, be scheduled enough, be spontaneous enough, be kind enough, or be patient enough to EVER get myself, let alone anyone else, into Heaven. It is ONLY by the grace of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and His forgiveness and love that I am what I am, and can do what I do. My best efforts, greatest attempts, and grandest gestures are NOTHING, unless He touches them and makes them meaningful. It is ALL because of Him and His great love for a sinner like me. I am now washed clean by His forgiveness, made new in His love and am a beautiful creation, all because I have given Jesus my life.

Discouragement will not win. I may be weak, I may be worn and I make so, many mistakes. But, by the grace of God and His Son, Jesus Christ, working through me, I WILL remain committed to the call that I have been asked to fulfill. His strength is made perfect in my weakness. His grace is enough. He is enough. And I can rest in that.

And he hath said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 

2 Corinthians 12:9