“What is my barrenness? It is the platform for His fruit-creating power. What is my desolation? It is the black setting for the sapphire of His everlasting love.

“I will go in poverty, I will go in helplessness, I will go in all my shame and backsliding, I will tell Him that I am still His child, and in confidence in His faithful heart, even I, the barren one, will sing and cry aloud.” (Charles Spurgeon)

That’s what it means to be poor in spirit, the very ones Jesus called blessed in the Beatitudes.

It feels very much counter-cultural, even in Christian circles.

While the Apostle Paul was proud to be able to boast in his weakness, knowing that’s where God’s power is perfected, we’re supposed to always present the happiest, shiniest version of ourselves. Just look at social media to see how well we’ve perfected the facade.

But Jesus longs for us to be our true selves. Come to me, He says, all who can finally admit that they’re weary and exhausted and overwhelmed by life, and I will give you the rest you crave.

I honestly had a good day today. But there are still times when I have to confess that I can’t do anything apart from God’s providential care. I need Jesus just as much on a good day as on those days where I can’t seem to do anything right.

I still do the prayer where as you inhale you proclaim, “Abba Father,” and as you exhale you say, “I belong to You.”

That’s still a good way to keep centered and remind yourself of Who’s really in charge of your day and your life. Spoiler alert: not you.

May we come to the place where we can finally take off the masks of perfection and performance and finally be our true selves, embracing and encouraging each other instead of envying and competing with each other.

Abba Father, we belong to You.