My Best
By David Chang, Director of Ministry Support
I condemn myself. I do realize that it is at least partly due to our biology. As Pastor Steve preached during the Ash Wednesday Service, we are all built to notice things that may cause harm to us. Normally, this process serves me well. In my work, it helps me to identify little things that may cause future problems and then come up with prevention and mitigation.
But I think the Lord is showing me that sometimes when I apply this process to myself, I wind up going beyond coming up with prevention and mitigation and go all the way to condemnation. I compare myself to others, judge myself as NOT as good as them, and tell myself I shouldn’t even try. I convince myself, someone else can do a better job, they don’t need me.
Then I read something about Fred Rogers. Yes, Mr. Rogers from the Public Broadcasting Series Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood. When he was attending seminary, Mr. Rogers and his friend would visit different churches on Sundays so they could study different preachers. One week, he experienced “the most poorly crafted sermon [he] ever heard.” When Mr. Rogers turned to his friend, she was in tears, saying, “It was exactly what I needed to hear.”
Later, as Mr. Rogers recalled this story, he said, “That’s when I realized that the space between someone doing the best he or she can and someone in need is holy ground. The Holy Spirit transformed that feeble sermon for her and, as it turned out, for me too.”
Woah! I needed to hear this. I need to do my best and trust the Holy Spirit to transform it into a blessing for someone. It’s kind of like when Jesus fed the multitude with what a little boy had to offer. Jesus took those two fish and five loaves and transformed them into a feast for over 5,000 people.
I realize that God just wants my best, nothing more. I need to trust that if He’s asking for it, He’s going to transform it into a blessing. My job is to offer it. God’s job is to transform it into a blessing. After all, God knows where the needs are and the best way to fill them, not me.
“My dear children, let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love. This is the only way we’ll know we’re living truly, living in God’s reality. It’s also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there is something to it. For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves. And friends, once that’s taken care of and we’re no longer accusing or condemning ourselves, we’re bold and free before God!” (1 John 3:18-21, The Message)
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to live in Your reality, not mine. Help me to know that my best is acceptable and welcomed by You. Help me to trust that You will transform it into a blessing. In Jesus name, Amen.
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