Good, Better, Best
“Jesus replied, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.’” —MATTHEW 22:37-40 (NLT)
Good. Better. Best. That is the scale upon which our culture loves to weigh ourselves. Even though God had already declared us good in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 1:31), we couldn’t stop there. We had to have more, get more, do more, be more. Until one day, perhaps due to illness or grief or mental anguish or exhaustion or maybe something entirely out of our control, we stop.
When our striving and trying and hustling stops, what remains?
Perhaps the truth is that we have forgotten (or maybe never realized) that we were first created in goodness. We never had to earn or push for God’s love. For you are a child of God. Your goodness has always been obvious to God. Jesus recognizes that pain and suffering are not the whole story. He sees our goodness right alongside whatever addictions or diagnoses or family drama we struggle with. So let’s take ourselves off the hook for being good, better, best and settle for good enough, shall we?
REFLECT
1. Take a minute to check you in with yourself. What standards or expectations are you holding yourself to this season? What standards or expectations are you holding others to?
2. Embracing your goodness is not about your ego. This is a much deeper and holy connection. Goodness is about being whole, accepting limitations without judgment, and seeing the holy inside of you. You are capable of kindness, gentleness, generosity, joy, mercy, and love. What parts of this feel easy to grasp? What parts feel difficult to grasp?
RESPOND
As you go throughout this week, whenever you are feeling “not enough” or “pushing yourself too hard,” take a second and be gentle with yourself instead. Remind yourself of the goodness that is inside of you and smile with relief because you, my dear, are good enough.
A Blessing to Feel More Love
I am going to put them down: every insecurity and ugly belief I have about my body, my abilities, my personality.
They won’t teach me anything (at least not now).
Let me accept other people’s love like a wrapped present.
For me? That’s so thoughtful. It’s exactly what I wanted.
Lord, I’ve spent so much time imagining my worst qualities that it’s difficult to imagine that you numbered the hairs on my head, painted my eyes this color, and soften at the sound of my voice.
You are not the bathroom scale or a work evaluation.
You are not an ex-partner or ex-friend.
You know the very best of me.
You are my cheerleader and champion, my memory keeper and favorite friend.
Flood me with love, love, love.
Because of who I am, who I’ve become and who you made me.
The world is loud, God.
Only you can convince me of how embarrassingly loveable I can be.
Quiet the shame and doubt and self-hatred.
I’m ready to feel love again.
[Kate Bowler. “To Feel More Love” in Have a Beautiful, Terrible Day: Daily Meditations for the Ups, Downs, and In-Betweens. (New York: Convergent Books, 2024). 109.]
GOING DEEPER
Author Malcom Gladwell debated with Kate on whether or not people are capable of change. What do you think? Reflect on your answer while you listen to their conversation, “Can People Change?” (38 minutes).