12 months went past in a whiff, and here we are, less than a week away from 2024, with a new set of “checklists in progress” and several “don’t-ever-do-s” before us.
I failed a billion times this year, on several levels, but despite all my failures and weaknesses, His grace covered me like a shield (Psalm 5:12).
As we draw close to the end of 2023, here is a run-through of my limitations that convicted me of why I need Jesus, ever so more than before.
I can’t love myself!
Seriously, who can? With all the flaws and blemishes staring right at our faces, no matter how well we hide it from the world, who can claim to truly love themselves for who they are?
And even, if by some miracle, we drown the inner accusatory voices, deep down in our conscience, the imperfections visit us and hound us.
Jordan B. Peterson, a Canadian psychologist, beautifully illustrates this in his book “12 Rules for Life”, citing self-loathing to be deeply embedded in us humans, so much so, that we would readily care for our pets, but fail to keep up with our medical prescriptions.
I need His love.
His perfect love casts off my fears. (1 John 4:18)
Because He loves me despite all my flaws, I no longer live in self-doubt and condemnation. All my imperfections are washed away by His precious blood that claims my perfect righteousness in Him.
His love makes me whole. It never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:8)
I don’t know everything!
What a relief to know that, isn’t it? And yet, our puny little human brains indulge in constant “planning, doing, and being”, never fully comprehending the infinite contingencies that could just wash our plans away!
Even with all the AI (and even that has a limited database), we can’t know the outcome for sure. We can predict based on research and study, but who, but God himself, can know what’s to take place?
I need His wisdom.
The Bible tells us to “Commit your works to the LORD, And your thoughts will be established.” Proverbs 16:3
It takes humility to take a step back, and say, “Lord, I don’t know it all. But whatever I have, I commit to your hands”.
When I find myself puzzled and confused, I can rest in His wisdom for He has promised to lead me through the most trying situations ( Psalm 23:4), never withholding His perfect gifts (James 1:17), but guiding me with His imperishable word (Psalm 119:105).
I can’t “like” (or be liked by) everyone!
Blessed are those who are apt at “winning friends and influencing people”, but for someone like me, people-pleasing can be quite a challenge.
Especially when there are some serious moral loopholes.
Judge alert! This is not about “hating” people for what you consider wrong. It is about not compromising your values and beliefs just for the sake of getting in, and being a part of a circle.
I can’t do that, no not me. And yet, if left on my own, a subtle superiority complex may creep in that may cause differences in place of love.
I need His Agape.
I need His love (Agape) within me, shed abroad my heart by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5), to love people even when their principles, values, and beliefs, don’t align with my own.
I can do nothing on my own!
This one dealt a heavy blow, especially as it was delivered by a close relative who asked me, “Sany, what have you accomplished in life to preach to people? You are no one (read: unqualified) to share your experiences with others.”
True, I am no one. I know nothing. And I suck at loving people on my own.
And yet, another human died for me, some 2000 years ago, in my place, so I could be His righteousness (1 Corinthians 5:21).
He wore my sins, my sickness, my lack on his body (1 Peter 2:22–24), so I could reign in life (Romans 5:17) and embrace my eternal destiny.
I need His identity.
I have a debt to pay, and that is to Christ alone- to share the good news of His death, burial, and resurrection with anyone and everyone I come across.
Yes, I am a nobody, but I am a nobody in Christ- for as He is, so am I in this world. (1 John 4:17)
I can’t save myself!
If eternity is true and Jesus is real, I with all my work-oriented righteousness can never earn a place in heaven. The scales will forever be balanced against me as I, in my strength, will never be able to keep up with the righteous demands of the law.
I may not lie, but my heart may conspire.
I may not gossip, but my heart may spew venom.
I may not kill, but in my heart, I may have murdered a hundred of my acquaintances.
Who can boast of being perfect before God?
I need a Savior!
Rather, anyone born in a human form needs a Savior. And His name is Jesus.
Jesus, the perfect lamb of God, took on a human form and laid aside His divine abilities to live as we do. He died in the worst possible way ever, taking upon Himself the curse of sin and death, which He didn’t deserve. (Philippians 2:8)
He died, so we could live as children of God, now and forever.
Christ Is Enough…
From the burning bush to the fiery furnace, God showed up for His people at the most unexpected places and in the most unprecedented circumstances.
With the coming of Jesus, things have become even more interesting. We no longer need physical indicators of God’s presence, but we carry His Spirit in our bodies, the new temple of God (1 Corinthians 6:19).
And Our spirit constantly bears witness with His Spirit that we are children of God. ( Romans 8:16)
I can love myself and others a little better, knowing that He first loved us. (1 John 4:19)
Life hasn’t been fair, but my Jesus has given it a new meaning and He is more than enough for whatever tomorrow may bring.
The Good Shepherd will never leave me, nor forsake me (Hebrews 13:5).
Christ in me is my hope of Glory. (Colossians 1:27)
