Not good
enough for what? To attain superiority, or just an acceptable standard? And is
it meant for discipline to encourage persistence, or simply to write me off? Then
again, who’s making the judgment? A friend, or an enemy, or perhaps even myself?
Our reaction
to this comment will largely depend on our upbringing. If we had parents who
demanded perfection, we will probably never feel good enough. But parents
providing positive response to our childish efforts would instil confidence in
ourselves.
Personally,
I have always been a self doubter, consistently unsure my efforts are good
enough, always feeling I could have done better and rarely satisfied with what
I’ve accomplished. And a couple of reviews revealing why my book is “a good book,
but not a great book,” fits the bill.
My problem
now is whether the comments were valid, or just another dump on my sensitive
ego. They concern my ability to express emotion adequately about recent life
threatening health issues. My problem: I really didn’t feel much at all—mostly concerned with options.
This is
something I have decided I will need to rectify—perhaps do a little deeper
digging into my conscious self. After all, for citizens of this postmodern
culture, feelings trump truth and a personal sense of well-being is paramount.
Of course,
the final and only meaningful judge of whether we are good enough is God Himself,
and measuring ourselves against His blazing holiness we will never come close
to any level of sufficient goodness. We will never be good enough.
But again,
much will depend on who we listen to: Him or ourselves. If we listen to our own
assessment of ourselves, we may conclude we don’t need God’s. But if we’re honest,
we don’t meet our own standards, let alone His.
But if we
recognize we are not good enough, “Jesus paints a different picture. He said, “Blessed
are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” (Matthew 5:3). Whatever
we try to accomplish in this life, His death makes up the lack between our
effort and His acceptance and use of it.
We must seek
excellence in life and work, but we will always fall short. But because of His
love for us, He makes it worthwhile. He paid the price on the cross for our inadequacy
and failure. So now, all we do has purpose and completion in Him.
