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Aug 07, 2022 08:00am

Enough

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I see it on wall art, instagram memes, t-shirts and coffee mugs, but here’s the problem with the “you are enough” trend: it isn’t true.
While I appreciate the motive behind the words– It sounds like a loving way to assure someone they are ok–it isn’t only skewed thinking, it goes against the truth of the gospel of Christ.

You are not enough.
I am not enough.
We are not enough.

If we were, why would we need a Savior? If we had no deficits and no flaws, if we were perfect just as we are, why would God send His Son to our world? Why would His death on a cross be necessary?

As long as we believe we are enough, we will never look to another, we will never realize our need for a savior, we will never rely on His sufficiency, and we will never live in the sweet freedom of no longer pretending like we have what it takes and instead lean on Jesus who is actually and literally enough.

Here’s a beautiful truth that gives peace and freedom:
We are accepted by God, not because of our righteousness, but because of His.
We can live in joy and peace, not because we have what it takes, but because He does.
We are loved by God, not because we are enough, but because He is.

Yes, He is enough. He is sufficient, and He wants to share His sufficiency with you and me. And oh, what a joy and relief to rely on His sufficiency instead of grasping for our own.

The reason the psalmist can say “I lack nothing,” is because what precedes his statement: “the Lord is my shepherd (Psalm 23:1).” Thinking “we are enough” is like a sheep saying, “I don’t need a shepherd, I’m just fine without Him.” How silly. We live in peace and have what we need, because we have a Great Shepherd who leads, guides, heals, rescues, and provides.

This doesn’t mean we walk through life feeling needy, downcast, or insecure or that we don’t have the skills, talents, knowledge, and strength needed for life. It means quite the opposite: we walk through life drawing on the inexhaustible resources of our God. It means we are no longer under the assumption that we are sufficient and instead get to draw upon the absolute and limitless sufficiency of our God.

Here’s a question I’ve been asking myself: how might my life change if I stopped pretending or acting as if “I am enough,” and instead lived drawing upon the all-sufficient resources of my God? I imagine I would have more peace, more humility, and a closer intimacy with Him as I live my days in dependence on the Father.

Oh Lord, give us a holy, humble, self denying, Christ exalting confidence. May we let go of our need to be enough and instead cling to Your sufficiency. Teach us the joy and freedom of relying on You and not on ourselves.