Do you feel like you’re not measuring up? A few years ago, a young mother shared her concerns about not being a good parent. I was surprised because her daughters are respectful and filled with love for God. When asked about the Bible, they always gave sweet and honest answers. These answers pointed back to Jesus. They also honored their mom and dad. Despite all this, she felt she wasn’t measuring up. Have you ever felt this way? I know I have.
But friends, God is not standing by with a yardstick to see how we measure up. He knows we will fall short, yet God chooses and calls us anyway. Romans 5:8 says, “But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” God demonstrated His love for us by dying for us, even though we are sinners and fall short of His glory. Let’s stop focusing on how we measure up. Instead, let’s understand what God says about us. We should also focus on what He asks of us. It’s important to know what God thinks of you. Several years ago, I reached a low point in my life. I struggled with my identity and was convinced that, because of my childhood, I was inherently a bad mother. During that time, the movie “October Baby” had just been released in theaters. Near the film’s end is a scene where a father and daughter stand near a headstone. On the tombstone are the words “God’s precious gift.” Tears streamed down my cheeks as I fought to suppress the sobs that were trying to escape. Through the message on that headstone, God showed me that He sees me as His precious gift—not meant for someone else but for Himself.
My friend, you are a precious gift from Him. In Ephesians Chapters 1 and 2, Paul tells us that we are:
- Blessed with every spiritual blessing
- Chosen, holy, and blameless
- Redeemed and forgiven
So, when Satan tries to measure your worth, simply tell him, “No, thank you.” Then, remind him of who you truly are.
What God Asks of You:
God is not focused on the struggle itself but on how you approach it. While we are accepted by God, He invites us to grow closer to Him. He asks us to fear Him, follow Him, love Him, serve Him, and obey Him.
Fear God:
Psalm 147:11 says, “The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him. In those whose hope is his steadfast love.” To fear God means to acknowledge and respect His power and authority. It involves recognizing God’s rightful place on the throne while understanding our position. God reserves good things for those who show this type of reverence. The timing of these blessings is entirely in His hands.
Follow Him:
Matthew 16:24 says, “Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Each day, we face a choice. Do we pursue our selfish desires? Or do we seek and follow what God desires for us? Are we prepared to make sacrifices when God’s plan differs from our own? Are we willing to endure persecution when our friends act differently than we do?
Love Him, Love Your Neighbor:
Luke 10:27 says, “And he answered, you shall love the lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your might. And love your neighbor as yourself.” The heart is the seat of emotion, where our deepest and most vulnerable feelings live. We are called to love God intimately and thoughtfully. It is often easy to love those who treat us well. Yet, it takes more effort to love those who have hurt us. Loving our neighbors by sharing God’s goodness with them is far more critical than protecting our feelings.
Serve Him
1 Samuel 12:24 says, “Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you.” God asks us to serve Him by sharing His goodness with others. He wants us to use the talents He has given us. We are to do this from the heart, being thankful for everything He has done. How we serve will change from one season of life to the next. All that God asks is that we serve the people He places in front of us.
Obey Him
Matthew 7:24-27 says, “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise like someone who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the flood waters rise and the winds beat against that house. It won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish like someone who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come, and the winds beat against that house it will collapse with a mighty crash.” We can expect Him to communicate with us whenever we read, study, or hear God’s word. We need to apply what we learn from these experiences. By doing so, we create a strong foundation for our faith, and in return, God will bless us.
Remember who holds the ruler the next time you feel like you’re not measuring up. God knows that none of us can achieve perfection. He loves you as you are and cares enough not to leave you unchanged. Often, it is Satan who stirs our doubts and prompts us to reach for that measuring stick. You can counter this by knowing who you are in Christ and speaking the truth against his lies.
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