Everything in the universe lately seems to be speaking to me of spiritual greatness. I could ramble and muse about this for days but I think it all boils down to one key point.

What does spiritual greatness even mean?

Is someone “spiritually great” because they blog about God or try to say their prayers regularly? Does going to church on Sunday make a person “holy enough”?

If I love God, aren’t I supposed to be trying to do “great things” for Him?

What about when I volunteer all the time and participate in countless ministries, but I still feel burnt out. Does that mean I’m not holy enough?

Do I not love God enough if I’m not doing everything?

Of course, if I love Him I want to be “great”, right? I want to serve Him the BEST I can and be the “HOLIEST” I can.

But, it is possible to try too hard, even in the spiritual life?

No matter how hard I try, I constantly fail – especially when I try to do “great things” – like LONG stretches of uninterrupted prayer time or traditional fasts. Sometimes I can pick myself up from those and say, “Well, I guess He wasn’t calling me to that so I will focus on something else”.

However, even when I try to do things that I KNOW He is calling me to, like motherhood or blogging, I fail. It’s no secret that I am a flawed human being (just ask my husband and my kids).

The other day I was bemoaning yet another experience of weakness and I found myself breaking down. “Lord,” I cried, “I am doing my best! (But, in my heart I was thinking, “my best will never be good enough. I will always fail.”)

And He answered me, “I know!”

In those two little, tiny words, I experienced intense healing. They could have been spoken in a recriminating way, confirming the horrible way I felt about myself and that I would never be good enough for Him, but, instead, they were spoken from a place of love – a place that said,

“I see you. I notice your efforts, and that’s all I want.”

[mailerlite_form form_id=1]

All He wants is our best effort!

He knows we will fail. He knows we aren’t good enough. But, that’s not the point.

The point is that we care enough to try. But, not care about trying to be “great”, only about trying to please Him.

Yes, we must do whatever He tells us (John 2:5) but He doesn’t tell us to do everything (“Martha burdened with much serving…” – Luke 10:40)

Maybe it’s not about looking great or putting on a great show of holiness for the people around us, having the longest prayer time, the cleanest house, or the most well behaved kids.

Maybe its not about the things we do at all but the reason we do them.

Why do we do what we do?

Did He ask you to do this? (See Martha and Mary test)
Are you seeking any kind of external recognition for what you do (looking “great”)?

Or,

Is what you do, simply done with great love: love for God, love for spouse and children, or in true desire for the good of any other person with no thought to yourself? (This does NOT mean neglecting self care. Sometimes the most loving thing we can do for the people around us is to get enough sleep, coffee, and prayer time. Know what I mean?)
And, are you truly doing your best?