If we could share a coffee right now, I would ask you all about the vocations God has called you to. How do you spend your days? Do you teach? Do you operate? Do you counsel? Are you a caretaker? a mentor? Do you create? organize? keep books? Then I would boldly ask this: In which moments do you feel less than adequate for your callings? Is it when you lose your patience? make mistakes? compare yourself to those who shine brighter? Is it when you fail?

Whatever your vocations, I would guess that you have had humbling moments when you wondered, Am I really good enough for this gig? And if you question your ability to live up to the standards of the people around you, you also might ask something more precarious: Am I really good enough for my holy God?

Standing alone before our God is not supposed to end well for sinners like us. Even though the voices around us downplay our shortcomings (“It happens to all of us!”), or worse, try to tell us God won’t mind our sins (“What else could you have done?”), God’s expectations of us don’t falter. Be perfect! Our reflection shows the smudges on our faces. We do not belong in the company of a holy God. It is painful to admit how rotten we are, isn’t it? But friends, it is so worth it.

Here’s the great news: The babe of Bethlehem came to find you just as you are. He does things backwards again and places a crown of life on our small, sorry, sinful heads. Unearned, undeserved, we will be with God in heaven forever because Jesus makes us worthy. That takes care of the more precarious question: Am I really good enough for my God? In Jesus, absolutely!

Now circle back with me to the conversation I wish we were having over coffee. Especially the part where you got real about your inadequacies. I have a few thoughts to share:

• Feeling inadequate is not such a bad thing. It pushes us toward repentance and reminds us that we absolutely depend on Jesus. When you are weak, find strength in him!
• That heavy backpack you are carrying? You know what’s in it because it weighs you down daily. Drop it at the cross as you cast your cares on Jesus. Let go of the sins he has already forgiven.
• Are you traveling a difficult road? Or do you want to implement a challenging change for the better? You can count on your Savior’s support. He will be with you each step.

In spite of your shortcomings, you are still chosen by God to be the mouthpiece of the gospel. You do this as you shine your light for him in your vocations in life. You do this as you serve your family, friends, and neighbors. You also do this as you simply tell others what the Lord has done for you. If we could have that coffee together, I would leave the conversation encouraged, knowing that God has gifted you for a unique part in his plan. He has put you in the exact place where he wants you to be to accomplish great things for his kingdom with the gifts he has given you. May God keep giving you the desire, strength, and courage to share his love in all areas of your life.