StillSpeaking Devotional “Confidence” by The Rev. Kaji Douŝa

Our competence is from God, who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant. – 2 Corinthians 3:5b-6 (NRSV)

Where do you find confidence in your competence?

Work?

Productivity?

Aesthetics?

Many of us have learned to build up our confidence with tricks. Like looking great in pants we can’t even figure out how to fasten – whether they fit or not. Though maybe that source of confidence never fit, anyway.

How do we build confidence?

We employ these tricks to build what we think of as confidence, to buoy us up when we feel like we might sink. Look good. Produce more. Post more. Call more. More more more of whatever culture is valuing right now. Just do it and you can convince yourself that you’re feeling ready.

But these are just mind tricks. Because, you see, they are so very contingent on the moment and on factors that can be … fickle. Unreliable.

And when your confidence is tethered to acts that skim the surface of who you are? That’s not confidence at all. It’s a trick you’ve played on yourself. And I promise you – it doesn’t last.

What does?

In short: maybe we cloak ourselves with the mantle of Christ. With something no one can or will ever take away from us. Maybe we adorn ourselves with God’s love and glory and feel a full sense of confidence that God’s grace is sufficient for everything we truly need.

You belong to God.

When you belong to God, you can have confidence that God will have you, take you. You can live in boldness. You can walk in faith. You can count on God’s grace.

Prayer

God, let your grace step in when my confidence wanes. Amen.

The “StillSpeaking Daily Devotional” series is produced by The United Church of Christ. The original article is here.