Grace for Shortcomings

Grace for Shortcomings

crossDo you (sometimes) feel inadequate? Do you wish you could have managed things differently? Do you struggle with your shortcomings? Do you start your sentences with “if only…if only…if only”?

We desire to be but we are not perfect. We fail. We are weak. Most often we can somehow deal with our inadequacies and shortcomings when they don’t affect our loved ones. But when we feel that we have failed as parents or spouses or children it is incredibly hard. We might not have been able to do anything to really help but we feel responsible anyhow.

So we carry these burdens around. We label ourselves “bad mothers” or “failures” and don’t know how to lighten our load. We know that God forgives sins and we are delighted. But we have not heard that Jesus also went to the cross for our shortcomings. There’s enough grace both for our sins and shortcomings. Really?

Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we’re a free people—free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free! He thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need, letting us in on the plans he took such delight in making. He set it all out before us in Christ, a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in him, everything in deepest heaven, everything on planet earth. (Eph. 1.7-10, MSG)

Yes. Rest assured that Jesus died for your failures too. Jesus died for your shortcomings. Jesus carried all your burdens on the cross. It is done. It is finished. We are a free people in Christ.

This is the gospel of Jesus Christ. You don’t have to carry your burdens anymore. No matter what kind of burdens they are. Because Jesus already carried them to the cross. You can give your inadequacies and shortcomings to Jesus. No matter what causes them.

Because Jesus loves you and wants to make you whole.
Because Jesus loves you and wants to make you abundantly free.
Because Jesus loves you and wants to make his very own.

 

Gracious God,
We are in awe of your love and grace.
We don’t deserve it but we desire it.
Forgive us for Jesus’ sake.
Make us your very own.
Make us abundantly free.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Q4U: Do you live abundantly free or do you still carry some burdens on your own?

Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you unload your burdens at the foot of the cross.

Photo courtesy of Derek Murphy, design by Mari-Anna Stålnacke. Linking up today with Heart & Home, Unite the Bloggersphere, #tellhisstory and

4 thoughts on “Grace for Shortcomings

  1. YES, Grace Abounds<333 He makes up the shortfalls…
    thank u, sis, for standing in for prayer on our behalf, God's provision is outstanding ~ as it is ALWAYS ~ husband found yesterday that his insurance will be effective the day of his event, April 1st, praise Him for His Awesome care!
    wanted to let u know, u r such a blessing to me & many others in Christ & His Kingdom to come!!! xoxCrystal

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