We all know what it feels like to get so deeply frustrated with ourselves, when we can’t do something we wish we could do, or when we’re faced with our limitations or inabilities. For me, I experience this frustration quite often, whenever I try to build something with my hands, or as I’ve shared previously, try to fix anything in my house.
Years ago, when Catherine and I were newly married, we bought a small (and cheap!) nightstand from Bed, Bath, and Beyond. This simple particle-board creation came in a simple box, with simple instructions, for simple assembly. Not so much for me. After a few hours of getting more and more frustrated with myself, I did what anyone would do. I threw a small fit, and kicked the lopsided nightstand over on its half-assembled side, out of frustration.
And then I asked for help. And Catherine put it together in about 10 minutes. Simple.
Where do you get frustrated with yourself, in your walk with the Lord? Where do you often find yourself coming face-to-face with an area of limitation, inability, or failure? We all have those areas, whether or not we’re honest enough to admit it. We’re all sinners in need of a Savior, and we’re all unable to do anything apart from God’s grace.
An old Anglican prayer gets at the heart of our spiritual limitations and inabilities, by expressing our need for God to enable us to do something we can’t do our own. It says it this way:
“Grant us, O Lord, we pray, the spirit to think and do always those things that are right, that we, who can do no good thing apart from you, may by you be enabled to live according to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord…“
That’s the key to the Christian’s walk with the Lord. With one step, we honestly admit that we can do no good thing apart from him. And with the other step, we ask him to enable us to do those things in us. A walk of desperate dependence, enjoying God’s limitless grace.
So be honest with God. He sees all your kicked-over nightstands. He’s eager to step in and help, if you’ll let him.
Worthily Magnify 