 “God’s hands are never limited by what we have in ours.” ~Lysa Terkeurst Do you ever have days when it feels like you don’t have enough to give? Perhaps your faith, physical stamina, or mental energy is depleted, making it difficult to end the day well. If you’re anything like me, you might even be harsh with yourself and ask questions such as, Why am I so lazy today? Why don’t I have more to give? What’s wrong with me? Research has found a rise in anxiety and perfectionism in our culture.* There is a heightened pressure to do more, give more, and be more. In reality, we’re only human, and we have many days with limited energy. How do we muster more when our tanks run on empty? The Bible suggests that this may not be the right question. Time and again, the Gospels demonstrate Jesus’ abundant grace for our lack. In Matthew 14:13-21, Jesus withdrew on a boat to a solitary place. The crowd learned His whereabouts and came from the surrounding towns to meet Him when His boat landed. Jesus had compassion on the people, for they were hungry. He said to His disciples, “Give them something to eat.” The disciples responded, “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish.” Jesus responded with a simple yet profound solution: “Bring them here to me.” He took the bread and fish, looked up to heaven, gave thanks to God, and broke the loaves. There was enough for the five thousand to eat and be satisfied with twelve basketfuls left over. When the disciples deemed the task impossible due to their lack, Jesus didn’t tell them to conjure up more. He told them to offer what they had. When the disciples handed it to Jesus, it became more than enough for everyone. Likewise, Jesus doesn’t tell us, “Come back when you have more to give, and then I can do something with it.” He says, “Surrender what you have, and I will multiply it.” We see a similar message in the Parable of the Mustard Seed in Matthew 13:31-32: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” Though small, the mustard seed grew into an unlikely refuge for God’s creation. Jesus teaches that a seemingly inconsequential beginning can have a far-reaching impact. God’s Kingdom grows over time and often starts with simple, humble acts. Realistically, we won’t bring 100% energy to the table every day. Some days, we only have 60%, 50%, or even less. I know many people (myself included) who might chastise themselves for not having more. When they have a 50% day, they ask, “Why can’t I have 100% today?” I’ve tried some cognitive reframing and have decided that if I begin the day with only 50% and choose to offer it all, I'm giving 100% of what I have—and that is enough. In the story of the widow’s offering in Mark 12:41-44, we learn that it’s more than enough in Jesus’ eyes. “Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, 'Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.'” Perhaps Jesus can do more with a wholehearted 20% than a half-hearted 80%. Sometimes we fall prey to the deceptive charm of pride, convinced we've brought more to the table than others. In reality, we are not glorified in any of this because it’s never been about us. Jesus is glorified in all of it. This mentality offers abundant peace because it reminds us that the pressure is not all on us! The earthly question is, “How do I muster up the energy when my tank runs on empty?” The Gospel question is, “How can I use what I already have?” Photocred: Unsplash
*To read more on the rise of perfectionism, see the American Psychological Association
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