I vividly remember the hardest Bible study that I have ever taught. I had spent hours preparing all of my research, word studies, and commentary quotes. I had my handouts and professional outfit and props.  But, to my dismay, people asked questions on topics that I didn’t know well, like the end times and rapture.  All of my jokes fell flat. And as I looked out on my audience, all I could see were bored, blank, sleepy faces.

Teaching that Bible study class was like plowing through concrete.  Excruciatingly difficult.

Thankfully, I know exactly why teaching that class was so hard for me. I had worked diligently to prepare my content, but I had not equally prepared my heart. I went into the class with an “I’ve got this” attitude and had not spent enough time in prayer. I was cocky. It was a mistake I don’t ever want to repeat.

There are times when we have to do hard things. We can do them in our own strength but it will be like buttering bread when the butter is stone cold. Difficult.

So what did I learn through this never-ending Bible study class?  I  learned to pursue humility.  Now, when I prepare to speak, I often get on my knees, put my forehead on my bristly Berber carpet, and say,

“Jesus, if you don’t show up, I am in deep, deep trouble.”

I acknowledge that without the supernatural help of the Holy Spirit, I can do things, but I can’t do them well.

The prayer I pray is one of humility. I see how big Jesus is, and in comparison, I see how small I am. Jesus is a gargantuan mountain of power and holiness and wisdom and I’m just a little sinful peon gnat.  This isn’t a self-deprecating perspective, but it is truthful.

For us to do the things God has called us to do, humility is paramount.

Without humility, we can do things, but we can’t do them as well as we could if we were humble. We can use our skills, but there won’t be any supernatural gifts or anointing to help us.

We can speak, but not necessarily minister.
We can pray, but maybe not touch God’s heart.
We can serve, but not sense the needs of the ones we are serving.
We can work all day, but not accomplish anything.

Yes, we can do it. Sure we can – we’re Americans, right? But our work and service might not be fruitful.  It can be worthless work.  We have to be humble.

On the other hand is the need for confidence.

There are dreams in our hearts – dreams that are bigger than we are – but so often we brush them aside because we are afraid.   We think, “I can’t do that! I’m inadequate. I’m uneducated. I don’t have the right skills.” And we might be correct – we probably can’t do it.

BUT.

When we think these doubtful thoughts we have forgotten something important. When we say “I can’t do it,” we negate God’s work within us.

It enables us to respond in kindness to the one who has hurt us.
It enables us to speak and teach and preach.
It enables us to serve those who are undesirable.
It enables us to smile and be joyful when we are hurting.

Knowing that this help is available to us gives us the confidence to say, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

We need both humility AND confidence. This may seem incongruous, but they work together, hand in hand.  There is a sweet spot that is “confident humility.”

We need humility to see that we are completely dependent upon God to do anything of value and lasting impact. We need confidence to know that God WILL show up and help us and work through us. He will be faithful to us and He will not abandon us.

Too much humility says, “I’m not good enough.”
Too much confidence says, “I can do it.”

As we walk this tightrope of confidence and humility, there is a sweet spot where we can say,

“I’ve got this. Jesus will help me, I just know He will.”

And we can do what we have been called to do with a confident humility.

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