Inadequate and Blessed

For whatever reason I really needed to hear this devotional from Jesus Always by Sarah Young who writes in a manner that seeks to be the voice and words of Jesus based on various passages of scripture. Anyway here it is.
     "No matter how inadequate you may feel, you can always look to Me for help. You don't need to go to a special place or assume a certain posture to seek My face. Nor do you need to use elegant language or work to win My favor. I always look favorably on you because I see you clothed in My righteousness. I am alive in you, and I understand your thoughts perfectly. So a simple glance at Me -- made in faith-- is enough to connect you to My help. You tend to waste energy trying to determine whether your resources are adequate for the day. You keep checking your "power gauge" instead of looking to Me for My provision. How much better to simply acknowledge your insufficiency when you awaken! This frees you to rely on My boundless sufficiency. If you stay in touch with Me, I will place enough Power at your disposal to meet your needs as they arise. Keep turning toward Me, your ever-present Help, and your strength will be equal to the demands of your day."

Inadequate and insufficient is how I often feel and it is not what the LORD would have me feel. So I proceed as best I can believing that God is my sufficiency and will use my life as God chooses. I do not need to make "things" happen. I need to live faithfully and joyously with peace and love. I am not to compare my life and its activities with what other people have and do.

Last week one of the lectionary reading was from John 10. A very familiar verse is the latter part of 10 in which Jesus says, " I came that they (you and I) may have life and have it abundantly."
The English Standard Version study Bible comments on that statement as follows: "Jesus calls His followers, not to a dour, lifeless, miserable existence that squashes human potential, but to a rich, full, joyful life, one overflowing with meaningful activities under the personal favor and blessing of God and in continual fellowship with God's people."

Sometimes Joyce and I feel guilty about the fullness of the cup that we experience in this life as the blessings of God overflow in our life. We are having a lot of fun with our life in retirement. Though I need to be careful about misusing the riches and various blessings that God has granted me I also can rejoice and be glad in them. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.