Sometimes you come to a point in your life where you feel like you’re doing okay.

Maybe you’ve been incredibly faithful in your church attendance and service. Perhaps your job appears to be going well, your kids aren’t the worst ones you’ve ever seen, or your marriage seems to be fairly strong.

God has this way of reminding us that we are weak, desperate, and sinful right at the moment we’re feeling pretty good about ourselves. It seems like he often does this work of reminding through something difficult. Most likely because that’s what seems to get our attention.

A few weeks ago, Jonathan and I had a terribly long discussion that was difficult to resolve. 

It was especially horrible timing because we weren’t able to finish working through it until after a social event. So we talked for thirty minutes, had a little “intermission” with other people, and then spent the next couple hours finishing our discussion. (Yes, I’m sure we were a treat to be around during that intermission.)

I’ll go ahead and be honest enough to tell you that most of the fault was mine. (And by most, I mean all.) The whole procedure was exhausting. But God used it to give us a poignant reminder of our desperate need for him. 

I read 1 Corinthians 10:12 (NIV) soon after this event and God convicted my heart yet again with its truth:

So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!

 

The times when I feel strong because of my abilities and “good character” are the moments when I’m the weakest and most vulnerable to temptation. Why? Because I’m resting in my abilities rather than God’s. And I have no strength or abilities apart from my Creator.

But the times when I feel weak and absolutely desperate for God to work in my heart are the moments when I am the strongest. Why? Because I’m resting in God’s strength and character, not my own. And his strength never runs out. When I lean on God, I cannot fall. When I rest in him, he holds me fast.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities.
For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10

My friend, if we’re not desperate for God, we’re doing it wrong.
God doesn’t want you to just be faithful in church, cultivate a good marriage, or parent obedient kids. He wants you to be desperate for his work to continue in your heart and his grace to be evident in your thoughts, words, and actions.

I’m praying this prayer today and would love to have you pray it with me:

Father, how quickly our hearts run from you.
Forgive us for thinking we have strength apart from you.
Help us to seek you in your Word rather than the approval of those around us.
Help us to quiet our souls long enough to consider how much we need you.
Make our hearts desperate for you.