God’s Best; not our best
We live in a culture obsessed with personal achievement and doing our best. From childhood, we're taught to give 110%, to strive for excellence, and to never give up. While these aren't bad principles, they can create a dangerous mindset in our spiritual lives. We begin to think that God wants our best effort, our greatest performance, our most impressive spiritual resume.
But here's a truth that might shake you: God doesn't want your best. Your best has never been and will never be good enough to earn His favor or accomplish His purposes. If your best could satisfy God's standards, then Jesus wouldn't have needed to die on the cross for your sins.
This isn't meant to discourage you - it's meant to liberate you! God wants His best to shine through you. There's a world of difference between worshiping God in the best you can do versus worshiping God in the best the Holy Spirit can do through you. When you try to serve God in your own strength, you'll always fall short and feel frustrated. But when you allow the Holy Spirit to work through you, you'll be amazed at what God can accomplish.
This shift in perspective changes everything. Instead of striving to impress God with your efforts, you learn to depend on His power. Instead of feeling inadequate, you discover that His strength is made perfect in your weakness. The Christian life isn't about self-improvement - it's about Spirit-empowerment.
Bible Verse
'What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?' - 1 Corinthians 4:7
Reflection Question
In what areas of your spiritual life are you trying to impress God with your own efforts instead of depending on His power?
Quote
“God does not want your best. God could care less about your best. When is your best ever good enough in God's eyes? If your best could ever be good enough in God's eyes, then God would not have had to send his son to die for your sins and my sins.” Jimmy Clendenin
Prayer
Father, forgive me for thinking that my best efforts could ever be enough. Help me to stop striving in my own strength and learn to depend completely on Your power working through me. I surrender my need to perform and choose to trust in Your ability to work through me. Amen.