"What Lack I yet": Weakness and Grace

Yesterday we had our ward conference. Our sweet stake Relief Society President (president of our women's organization in our area)  gave a thought provoking talk on the story in the New Testament of the rich young man (Matt 19:16-20). In the story, the young man tells Jesus he has followed all the commandments and done all he could to do the right thing. Then he asks Jesus "What lack I yet?" Christ answers him, telling him to sell his possessions and follow Him. The young man goes away sorrowing, because he was very wealthy and no doubt that would be a difficult request. Our Relief Society president challenged us to go home and pray and ask God, "What lack I yet?"

When she gave us that invitation I laughed to myself. What lack I? EVERYTHING. I feel like I am no where near the person I should be or want to be. I could list several things that I lack. I want so much to be already perfected! There are so many ways in which I lack. "The spirit is indeed willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matt. 26:41).

Weak. That sums me up pretty well these days. Weak and tired. I want to be patient, loving, serving, balanced, yet all I end up feeling at the end of the day is weakness.

In pondering my weakness I read Jacob 4:7

  "Nevertheless, the Lord God showeth us our ^aweakness that we may know that it is by his ^bgrace, and his great condescensions unto the children of men, that we have power to do these things."

Grace. Grace is what I need. Grace is what will help me overcome what I lack. Grace will help me get up after a night of fragmented naps a little earlier than everyone else so I can have time with Him. So I can better know Him, better give Him my heart and let it be changed by Him (Alma 5:7 Note that in this verse we see it is God who changes our hearts, not ourselves. We have to let Him.)

Another verse I came across that I loved is in Doctrine and Covenants 62:1

 "Behold, and hearken, O ye elders of my church, saith the Lord your God, even Jesus Christ, your ^aadvocate, who knoweth the weakness of man and how to ^bsuccor them who are ^ctempted."

Christ, my advocate, knows my many struggles and what I lack yet. And he knows how to succor them. I so often forget that grace is available every step of the way. In every weakness His grace is what can make me stronger. I need to stop leaning on the arm of my own weak flesh and lean on Him and trust His Grace.

Every verse I read about weakness I am reminded, I am weak so that His grace can make me strong. I am weak so I can learn to depend on Him. I am weak so that I can let go of trying to do everything myself and trust Him.

Weakness, leads me to Christ.

I'm so grateful for my weakness, that humbles me and makes me look up. And I'm forever grateful for His Grace, His Grace that is there for me every single step of the way.

"Your Grace Finds Me"

Matt Redman

It's there in the newborn cry 

It's there in the light of every sunrise 

It's there in the shadows of this light 

Your great grace 

It's there on the mountaintop 

It's there in the everyday and the mundane 

There in the sorrow and the dancing 

Your great grace 

Oh, such grace 

From the creation to the cross 

Then from the cross into eternity 

Your grace finds me 

Yes, Your grace finds me 

It's there on a wedding day 

There in the weeping by the graveside 

There in the very breath we breathe 

Your great grace 

Same for the rich and poor 

Same for the saint and for the sinner 

Enough for this whole wide world 

Your great grace 

Oh, such grace 

From the creation to the cross 

Then from the cross into eternity 

Your grace finds me 

Yes, Your grace finds me 

There in the darkest night of the soul 

There in the sweetest songs of victory 

Your grace finds me 

Yes, Your grace finds me 

Your great grace 

Oh, such grace 

Your great grace 

Oh, such grace 

So I'm breathing in Your grace 

And I'm breathing out Your praise 

I'm breathing in Your grace 

Forever I'll be 

Breathing in Your grace 

And I'm breathing out Your praise 

I'm breathing in Your grace 

Forever I'll be 

Breathing in Your grace 

And I'm breathing out Your praise 

Breathing in Your grace 

For our God, for our God 

Yes, Your grace finds me 

Yes, Your grace finds me