Blessed Contradiction
I could be talking about myself here – I, too, am a blessed contradiction, but I’m actually talking about the reading and verse for today. James is the doer’s book. It’s all about doing the right thing, the good work, the business of acting as a follower of Christ. This Ephesians verse basically says it doesn’t matter what you do because nothing could cover your sin. That’s why it was given as a gift – you had nothing to do with it. There is nothing more disconcerting to a person focused on doing things themselves than telling them that they will never be able to “do” it.
Keeping Me Humble
I am a doer. I like to do things on my own; figure them out for myself; fix what’s broken without help. And like any self-respecting doer – I’m stubborn. I can be struggling away, yet when someone asks if I’d like help, I always respond, “No, no, thank you. I got it” Accepting help has been something I’ve struggled with my entire life. Asking for help is even harder to maneuver. When I do find myself needing and asking for help – I am humbled. It’s weird. It isn’t that I believe I can do everything – I don’t like to bother people. And I like control. And I’d rather figure it out on my own, so I don’t end up owing anybody anything. Admitting that you can not do it on your own is humbling in and of itself -because no one wants to feel like they are not enough.
Grace Is Stress-Free
And yet, I’m not. I am not holy enough; I am not big enough, strong enough, brave enough, or perfect enough to be an offering. What a blessing. Knowing that I will never be enough to free myself from condemnation takes the sting out. God’s grace is stress-free.
40-Day Challenge: Day 39 Reading
Ephesians 2: 8-10 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.