Confessions of an Overachiever

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10 ESV).

I’m actually writing this devotional about a week before it is posted on any of the sites typically used. We are in the midst of one of those North Texas winter storms. Now, this is not to say that it is anything as bad as it is in other parts of the country; however, it is cold, windy, and rainy. These are those days that keep me indoors instead of in the shop. And, that causes me to feel like I’m “wasting” time; or as I often like to say: I’m burning daylight. That is rooted in my being an “overachiever.” That doesn’t mean that I have “achieved” anything; it means I’m not content with inactivity. Some might even say this is an indicator that I could be classified as a “workaholic”. You may have this same bent. Perhaps this is ingrained in our genetics, perhaps it’s a combination of drive and ability. Maybe we’re just wired to be “highly alert”, or perhaps it’s just that we’ve been socialized to believe that we were born to continually strive for “more” in life. I suspect, like so many things, it’s a combination of several of these things. Those of us like this are unlikely to take comfort in the concept of rest or, worse yet, weakness. It’s not surprising then, that my idea of belonging to God, of being beloved, did not begin well. With my religious background and my personality it was easy to believe my only real hope would be found in some kind of excellence on my part. In many of our lives we’ve come to a place, either by choice or mere circumstance, that we were brought desperately low. The place I’m referring to is one where a person feels as though they cannot possibly deserve redemption. I’m confident I’ve personally visited this place more than a few times. My answer now, is that acceptance of the truth that I don’t deserve redemption. I am a sinner in need of the grace of God. And, thanks be to our God who provided the One is was deserving on my behalf! This brings us to the incredible concept of contentment. I am nothing except weak. And, that weakness is an open door to allow His unending grace, power and provision to enter my life (vv. 9-10). Further still, He taught me that the answer to connection with Him was the opposite of what I had learned; God was not waiting for my exceptional achievement, He was waiting for humility to open the door to my heart. Please know that God loves you and is ready to meet you where you are. God is not waiting for you to do anything. He has come to meet you with open arms. You cannot perfect your efforts in the eyes of the Lord; and He doesn’t want or expect that from you!