I'm No Good On My Own

"I'm so thankful that I'm incapable of doing any good on my own..."

We live in a society that is performance based. Our self-worth is often tied to our accomplishments. We identify ourselves more by what we do than by who we are. We encourage people to "make something of themselves." And we so often take this attitude with us into our spiritual journey. We approach the #NarrowRoad the same way we would approach climbing Mount Everest. If WE train hard enough, prepare enough and do all the right things then we can reach our destination. Living life with Jesus becomes just another thing we can accomplish if we will just put in the effort. And then, were we ever to achieve our goal, WE would claim the victory. Well friends, I have some good news for you today, and it's an important lesson of the #NarrowRoad. It ain't about you. It's all about Jesus. And I, for one, am thankful for the knowledge that it is- thankful that I am no good on my own!

Walking with Jesus does not require us to bring a GPS, a walking stick, supplies and our very own "can do" attitude. Following Jesus requires us to give up. To surrender. To acknowledge that he is charge and that we have not chance of salvation without him. Of course there are things expected of us as we learn from our Guide, but that is very different from a belief that we can plow our own road and find out own way. We cannot. 

One of my favorite bands is Caedmon's Call, and one of my favorite songs of theirs is Thankful. It expresses far better than my words the joy we should find in the knowledge that there is nothing we can do to make God love us more and nothing we can do make God love us less. We just need to praise God for the gift of grace and the salvation that comes with it. None of us are good enough on our own. All of us are good enough with Jesus. And for that, today and everyday, I am thankful! Enjoy the song, and celebrate your neediness.

Because of Jesus,