Casandra Martin

We live in an “I can” society. Everything is measured by what we can do. The more we can do, the more valuable the world says that we are. There is enormous pressure to not let your “can’ts” show. We become adept at hiding our “can’ts” because we fear what others will say when they find out the truth. Our world makes it clear that it doesn’t have any place for those with more can’ts than cans.

Here is the truth. I can’t. And that is okay. Learning to say those words opens the door to freedom. I can’t be strong enough. I can’t do enough. I can’t know enough. I can’t be good enough. Faith is built on the reality that I can’t, but God can. If I never learn to say “I can’t,” then there is no room in my life for all the God cans.

Paul spoke about the grace that is found in learning to say “I can’t” in 2 Corinthians 12:9. “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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” Sometimes our I can’ts are the best framework for God’s I cans.

My Jesus Resolution today is to admit I can’t. It is hard to say. I like the façade of having it all together, knowing all the answers, and being able to do it on my own. But “I can” can hide me from the beauty of grace. It takes humility to admit that I am broken, weak, and not able to do it myself. But every time I can say “I can’t,” God’s love envelopes me and whispers, “I can.”