“I’m hopeless.” Not the kind of words one like to hear come out of someone’s mouth.

“I’m helpless. Same thing.

“I give up.” Ditto.

All 3 are phrases of resignation. Seen as sighs of desperation. Basically seen as expressions of surrender, of “I can’t take this anymore.”

UNLESS

Unless they are seen in another light. Unless they are seen as resignation to the grace of God. Unless they are seen as a sigh of surrender. Unless they are seen as expressions of “I need God and His grace in a powerful way.” Being able to say those words to God means the willingness to admit “I can’t do this on my own.” My righteousness is weak. My righteousness, as Isaiah says, “is as filthy rags.” It is an admittance of the emptiness needed for God’s grace to do its work in me. I can’t do it on my own. It is a giving up of taking credit and seeing my emptiness spiritually.

“Father, I’m undone. I come to you as a helpless, hopeless and now surrendered man. I have nothing to bring-no goodness, No good works, no righteousness. I give it all to You. I NEED your grace. I can’t live without it.  No looking at others, only myself. Come Father. Exercise your grace in me.”