Sufficiency part 3
We have everything we need because we have everyONE we need. Jesus. Each other. That's where our "self"-sufficiency comes from. Look at 2 Corinthians 12:9, "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." His strength. God's strength. Love's strength. That is what gets us through the day. That is what we need, and thank God that is what we have. I love the part about His strength being made perfect in weakness. When we need Him the most... that's when He shows up the most. And I think one of the reasons for that is because when we need Him the most... that's when He has the most opportunity to show up. I think God will let us try to do things ourself, for the most part. He won't force His presence into our lives. I believe He is always there, completely available, ready and waiting. Hovering over the face of the deep. But I also believe He is too much of a gentleman to force Himself on us. Even when He wants to. Like... there are times as a parent where I want to step in and just handle things for my son. But I really try not to. Because that won't teach him anything. He needs to learn how to be self-sufficient. He needs to learn how to do things for himself. Now, having said that, we have a rule that says, "If you try your best, and you still need help... I've got you." I'm not going to leave him stranded. I'm not going to let him suffer or fail. When he invites me into a situation, I'm going to give him everything I've got. I think, in large part, that's the way it is with OUR heavenly Father. If we think we've got it under control, I think He will let us do what we're of a mind to do. It's in our weakness, when we get to the point where we know we CAN'T do it on our own, that there is an opportunity for God to help us. And I'm telling you, He usually helps us through other people. When someone helps you... that's God helping you. He lives in people. Works through people. We always say "God works in mysterious ways. And I can get with that, to a degree, because people are mysterious. People do things that don't always make sense to us. People can be confusing. People can be unpredictable. The good thing about God is that He is NOT unpredictable. He is NOT really that mysterious. He just loves us, loves us, and keeps on loving us. He shows up when we need Him. He gives us everything we need by giving us everything He's got. His grace is sufficient for us. It doesn't matter what we've done (or what we're doing, or what we're going to do). God loves us. Regardless. Always. Unconditionally. No matter what we go through, His grace will carry us through. No matter what we need, He has it. He IS it. And He has given it to us. Given HIMSELF to us. We have no lack because our God has no lack. We have no lack because we're all in this together. Maybe I have what you need, and you have what I need... and connected through the bond of Christ... we all have it all!