Satisfactory Weakness?

'I don't pray enough.' 'Man, I forgot to read my Bible!' 'She is so much better of a Christian than I am. I didn't even think to ask how I could help out.' 'Why am I still struggling with this sin!?'

It's thoughts like these that have plagued me lately. Actually, they've plagued me for at least this whole semester. I never seem to be a good enough Christian. Either I don't pray enough, forget to call a friend, don't read my Bible for a couple of days, snap at one of my friends, or simply get intimidated by people who are farther in their walks with Christ than I am.

That was the mindset that I had as I began my devotion time this morning. I just picked up where I had last left off, right in the middle of Hebrews. I wasn't very excited about my Bible time, simply because I felt so condemned that I haven't stuck to my recent resolution to spend more time with God because I've been swamped with school work and studying. So I was reading rather dejectedly. But as I read, I began to absorb the words that my eyes were flowing over. Jesus Christ is my high priest. Unlike other high priests, though, he doesn't make a sacrifice on a regular basis. He did it once, and He did it for all. As I continued to read, I began to feel a weight lift off of my shoulders. I'm not perfect. I daily fail at the Christian walk. I fall short in some area every single day..but that's why Christ died! I don't have to be perfect! His sacrifice, His death, covers up my sin so that God sees me as an absolutely beautiful perfect being. There is nothing I can do to prove my worthiness--not even go to Africa.

I kept reading, and God reminded me of a verse that I read a few days ago. It pretty much sums up everything, all of the encouragement that I needed. 1 Corinthians 12:9 "and he said unto me, 'My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness.'" God completes my weakness and can use me whether I am always pure or not. Of course, I still strive to be righteous, as we are called to. But when I forget, or simply get tired of it and stop, it's okay. God's strength is made perfect even though I'm weak. Thank you God.