“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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

The world’s problems can feel overwhelming these days. How do we rest in God’s peace when we feel so out of control — and helpless to make a difference?

I recently discovered a helpful metaphor about resting in who God made us to be.

My dad and I were enjoying a long-anticipated father-son trip to Norway. As the end of our trip drew near, we had dinner at a restaurant called Maren Anna in a small fishing village near the tip of the Lofoten archipelago.

That night, a snowstorm had just blown in, so we were two of only nine people dining, plus the manager and the waiter. The storm blustered outside, butter and garlic and fresh-from-the-water fish perfumed the air, and the quiet chatter of our fellow diners cushioned us. It was a meal for the ages.

When we finished, I noticed a piano up against the wall. Any time I see a piano, I am curious to feel the keys, to hear how it sounds. To me, a piano is like a living thing, as if each piano has a unique soul. I asked the waiter if I could touch the keys.

“Sure,” he said. “You can play if you like.”

Now, I am not a good piano player. I can’t read music and took lessons for only a short time as a kid. Regardless, I love to play. That night at the restaurant, I felt like nobody was really going to listen anyway. I quietly began to play one of my songs, losing myself in the experience.

After a few minutes, the restaurant had gone quiet. The room was now silent except for the song I was playing. And just like that, a wave of nervousness slammed into me. My fingers began to tremble, and I thought of all the mistakes I could make. I almost stopped playing.

“No. I’m not going to be nervous. I’m going to play my song as best as I can,” I whispered to myself.

And there, in that remote village, in the middle of a snowstorm, a personal miracle took place. I felt a rush of confidence come over me as I played, and a delicate presence seemed to fill the room. When I finished my song, I heard all 10 people in the restaurant begin to cheer and clap for me. Everyone was smiling, including Pop.

Later, my dad said, “You know, when you were playing in there, it felt like God’s presence filled the room.”

“I could feel it!” I replied. “I wondered if anyone else could.”

“They could,” he assured me. “It was special.”

When my wife, Sazan, and I talked about it later, we realized that evening at Maren Anna held an important truth about resting in God: In Christ, we are enough. It didn’t matter that I’m not a concert pianist. It didn’t matter that I can’t read music to save my life. None of that has to do with what is enough.

The willingness to take something simple, something kind, something heartfelt, and offer it to God and others — that is enough. God promises that even in our weakness, He is sufficient. He is enough. He works through whatever offering we can give to others.

“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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

We’ve got big problems in this big world of ours. We don’t have big solutions or big resources or big wisdom to give. But what if we all just played our songs? What if we sat down at the metaphorical pianos of life and gave from our hearts what we have to give? God turns our small sacrifices into something powerful for a world desperate for beauty, peace and compassion.

If you’re waiting for the day when you’ll feel like you’re enough, lean in. That day is today. You are enough because God is enough. 

Rest in that.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me and reminding me daily that You are enough. Your love sustains me and reveals my identity as Your child. It’s Your love that calms my anxiety, doubt and insecurity. Your love brings me rest through the chaos of life. There’s nothing I can do to earn Your love or deter it. I worship You for that today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

OUR FAVORITE THINGS

For a guide to establishing rhythms of purposeful reflection, intentional focus, time with loved ones and true rest, check out Stevie and Sazan Hendrix’s new book, A Real Good Life: Discover the Simple Moments that Bring Joy, Connection, and Love.

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FOR DEEPER STUDY

2 Corinthians 12:10, “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (NIV).

Can you think of a time when God’s power was revealed through a moment of your weakness? What did it feel like to discover God’s sufficient grace?

How do you think God is calling you to slow down and see His love for you today?

© 2023 by Stevie Hendrix. All rights reserved.

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