Sufficient Grace

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” – Hebrews 4:16

I remember a meeting I had with a client that led to a decision to make him one of the partners CEO of the company. The immediate reaction of the partner who was made CEO was, “I cannot do it. I don’t have the time or the experience.” I reminded him that by stepping up he could save the company, and he did. God’s grace was enough for him. He has not only done a great job, but through his leadership, the company’s culture has changed and, despite facing challenges along the way, the company is on the verge of tremendous growth. If all you do in life is only attempt the things that are safe and within your reach, you will never fully live life or experience God to the fullest. We must strive to pursue goals that are so bold and visions that are so daring that without the grace of God, we cannot realize them.

Grace is the strength of God that is activated when we reach our limits. It is God’s sufficiency that is present only in our insufficiency. It is God’s strength at work when we are weak. It is only present when we have exhausted all of our options. Grace cannot exist alongside our ability or efforts. Either you depend on God’s grace or in your own strength. You cannot rely on both. Once the Apostle Paul understood this revelation, with great enthusiasm he cried out, “Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in distresses, for Christ’s sake for when I’m weak, then I’m strong (II Corinthians 12:9b-10).”

In other words, Paul realized that grace is most present when he feels most vulnerable and inadequate. This, however, goes contrary to entrepreneurs’ intuition or instinct. We do not want to feel vulnerable, we do not want to feel weak or inadequate, we must be in control at all times. If this is so, then we must forsake the grace of God because we cannot have it both ways. Grace cannot exist where our strength is present; grace is only present when we cannot do for ourselves.

Of course, this does not mean that we should attempt impossible tasks just so we can experience the grace of God. That would be testing God, which can be dangerous and ill-advised. Grace works in concordance with God’s calling and God’s will. The things you pursue must be those things that God has called you to do and must be in line with His plan for your life. No matter how challenging or difficult, no matter what personal issues you may be facing, if those things are within God’s plan for your life and His will, then you can be assured that His grace is enough. It is all you need.

My prayer for you today is that you will always remember that when you are weak, He is strong!