The answer to that question depends on who I look to for the answer. There are many people, businesses and organizations who are dying to give me not only the answer, but also the solution to become more than good enough, physically, Intellectually, socially, financially, emotionally, spiritually and theologically ….. (fill in the blank for more!)
I can find surveys, analyses, and tests to detect what needs fixing, what can be improved, how I can do it, and the difference it will make to me. I can search or access ‘solutions’ via YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, reference books, creams, pills, fillers, anti-aging anything, coaches, experts and courses. Over the years the Church has had times pre and post Jesus, where it has got onto the ‘fixing’ bandwagon. “If you do this, or not do this, if you pray this, or pay this, if you believe this, if you behave this way, or change this then you will be a ‘good’ Christian”.
Thank God for people in the Bible who weren’t perfect. My favorite person currently is Peter. I don’t think he’d make it into the top 10 ‘influences’ during his time as Jesus’ disciple. For a start he was a local fisherman, so I doubt he’ d be a fashion icon or hang out in the cool new venues around ‘the lake’. He was impulsive, over committed himself at times (the sinking incident), spoke before thinking and especially at the most inappropriate time (God had to tell him to shut up and listen). He couldn’t keep his promises or loyalty to his best friend, couldn’t understanding what was going on half the time and lacked a bit of humility especially when he thought he could provide Jesus with ‘advice’ and I could go on.
And he is so real! What I see from Jesus is that despite all that Peter’s not, he is good enough. Good enough even after betraying Jesus, to kick things off at Pentecost, empowered by the Holy Spirit.
After Jesus betrayal and resurrection, at that breakfast by the sea, Jesus didn’t tell Peter that he needed to go on a spiritual retreat to reflect on whether he should remain in the group, spend more time in the temple or sort out his commitment issues, Jesus loved him unconditionally. It is a beautiful relationship.
What this and other examples of God’s unconditional love gives me, is a clear picture that I AM good enough, despite the wrinkles, emotional outbursts, social stuff ups, lack of academic status, gender, actions and struggling more and more with those early morning gym classes. I am God’s loved and precious child, regardless of what I do and don’t do, and knowing that draws me so much closer to God. I am not judged just loved.
Which makes me think about the season of Lent. We have the opportunity, to have some extended reflection on that relationship, the love of God and the incredible way this was demonstrated. Rather than considering “What should I sacrifice or give up for Lent?”, or focus on my ‘inadequacies’, maybe I could reflect on how Jesus didn’t give people 10 steps to success or perfection, but got in the dirt with us, loved us as we are, and sorted things out for us. Maybe I need to spend time tapping into how God sees me and others around me, allowing God to be my biggest ‘influencer’ equipper, coach. I believe that God probably won’t care if I read those self-help books or do more squats (probably too late for anti-aging), but will say, “I love you so much just as you are. You are not perfect, and never will be, however I love every aspect of you because I created you and love you with a love which is hard for you to fathom.” …which makes me feel… good enough!
So my message to you today is you are good enough, even on your worst days.
Mignon Weckert
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 “And He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’ Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore, I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.”
