Good enough

It was very good. (Genesis 1:31)

In the beginning of the story of the world and of human beings, we learn we are inherently good. We are created in the image and likeness of the Creator. We are birthed out of love itself.

This does not mean we are without fault or that we don’t always live into our birthright, but it does mean we are not awful like many religious folks lead us to believe.

Yes, we can run to Paul and talk about flesh, of sinful nature, but we must be careful that we are not projecting Platonism onto the words of a Jewish thinker.

We are not born sinful. We are not sinful at our core. We are beings created in the image and likeness of Love who often fall short of what we could be.

I have spent most of my life thinking I’m not good enough, when the reality is I have always been good enough. I need to realize and accept this and live accordingly.

For years, I was drawn to religions that reinforced I wasn’t good enough. I can no longer live in that world of thinking.

I realize that much of the thinking in American Christianity affirms the “we aren’t good enough” story, so no matter where I go, it will likely be in the air.

I am learning to breath a different kind of air, a fresher kind of air. An atmosphere where I find life in knowing that I am good enough no matter what I do.

That is the point of grace. A God who said from the beginning, “it is very good,” continues to see worth in all creation.

Yes, creation is broken. Yes, I contribute to that brokenness. But my value and worth are not determined by my brokenness. My ability to be loved and accepted by God is not determined by my brokenness. Rather, my brokenness causes me to be blinded to what always has been and always will be true.

I am loved.

I am accepted.

I am good.

I am good enough.

I no longer live to earn my worth, but rather to recognize it and live into it.