Clothing Ourselves with Jesus

Some of us, in the name of humility, will not step up to the plate, saying, “I couldn't do that. There are many more qualified people for that task."

Click here to listen to this devotional written and narrated by Theresa Miller.

As human beings, we have a deep longing to be known. Yet, there is an undercurrent of shame we experience in this fallen world, causing us to cover ourselves with one of two garments of pride. Even with the best intentions, it is easy to overlook the essential truth that we were created in the image of God—not to be our own gods. Where God says, “My grace is sufficient for you,” pride says we are either not enough or already sufficient on our own.

Some of us, in the name of service or obligation, take on more tasks than God may be calling us to. It looks noble from the outside, but we often compare ourselves to other people's achievements and attempt to match or outdo them, rather than seeking God's will for our sense of accomplishment and purpose. We strive because something tells us we are not enough, while we convince ourselves we are. We are so busy with our agenda that we miss more critical moments God intends for our lives.

Some of us, in the name of humility, will not step up to the plate, saying, “I couldn't do that. There are many more qualified people for that task." We may think I will only risk something new if I succeed on the first try. This mindset may manifest in procrastination or resistance, but it's another form of pride. We're still comparing ourselves. The focus is still on us. We don’t act because something tells us we are not enough, and it’s safer to back down. We may be so busy hiding that we miss those critical moments God intends for our lives.

While we can experience both forms of pride, we typically fall into one camp or the other. Recognizing this distinction is crucial because it is the enemy's tool to keep us from walking purposefully in our God-given callings. But Jesus is our answer. John 15:5 says, "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing" (ESV).

2 Corinthians 12:9 also offers an important truth. It says, “But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (ESV).

God did not create us to measure our worth against others. He didn’t design us to rely solely on our strengths. We weren’t meant to make a name for ourselves. Instead, we were created to discover our worth in Christ, lean on His strength, and glorify Him. By God's grace, the only covering intended for us is Jesus Himself.

We may know those above verses well, but how well do we know how to apply them? Today, let's take inventory of our tendency toward pride and bring it to the Lord. Trust that He fully knows us and can move these hindrances into the light. Ask Him to help us hang up the garment of pride, humbly accept our limitations, go where He calls, and discern the difference. With God’s help, may we never miss a moment to radiate His perfect calling on our lives.

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