Enough (part 1)

Recently, I've seen this word popping up on blogs, on t-shirts, home décor etc. Usually it's in reference that we as individuals don't believe we are "enough" or "have enough" or are "________enough". Our sadnesses and wounds have somehow fashioned a twisted branch of weird perspective inside our minds that we keep climbing over and over again in the struggle to find hope. Hope is what we need. There is a LIVING HOPE and we can know Him. We desperately need to hope in something or else the circumstances around us will keep our heads heavy constantly looking down. So we look within. I hear folks say "I am enough!" as if they've magically unlocked a vault of mysterious secrets and found a transformative mantra that will satisfy all their wants and desires, empowering them to live life happily ever after.

It sure can feel that way. It feels liberating to say it, to think it and believe it. But I don't think the words "I am enough" can stand alone and be true. I would even go so far as to say those words are a very clever lie.

We want to declare our independence and freedom, but in doing so we put too much pressure on ourselves and immediately exchange our long-worn shame for other shackles with thoughts such as:

• I'm good enough.

• This is me, take it or leave it.

• No one is going to tell me I'm not good enough anymore.

• I'm doing it my way.

• This is my truth.

• I can do what I want from here on out.

• Fake it 'til you make it.

These thoughts and declarative words will only give us courage for so long. The enemy of our souls wants us to think we can and should do anything to please ourselves by making ourselves like God. This is the the original lie Satan offered; he tempted Eve in the garden of Eden. He's still using the same lie: We can be like God...we are in control of our destiny. The lies start to overlap very quickly from then on.

"Now the serpent was the shrewdest of all the creatures the Lord God had made. "Really?' he asked the woman. "Did God really say you must not eat any of the fruit in the garden?"

"Of course we may eat it," the woman told him. "It's only the fruit from the tree at the center of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God says we must not eat it or even touch it, or we will die."

"You won't die?" the serpent hissed, "God knows that your eyes will be opened when you eat it. You will become just like God, knowing everything, both good and evil."

The woman was convinced. The fruit looked so fresh and delicious, and it would make her so wise! So she ate some of the fruit. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her. Then he ate it, too. At that moment, their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they strung fig leaves together around their hips to cover themselves. - Genesis 3:1-7 (New Living Translation)

Have we also made this exchange? The TRUTH for a LIE? Could that be why we are feel shame and want to hide from God? Too often we have. But we can stop right now and turn onto a different road. God wants to show us what is real, this beautiful and incredible truth:

HE IS ENOUGH FOR US which makes US ENOUGH IN HIM

Jesus came to earth to make the way for us to be one with him. He had a plan to deliver us from ourselves and our selfishness because of his perfect love. We can't be enough without him. For we have all fallen short of perfection; we need a Savior.

So here is a crossroads for us to consider. One road has a sign that says: "I am in control, I am enough and I can do anything I want." The other road says: "Come to me all of you who are weary and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

PRAYER: God, I know I must tell the truth to myself that I am not able to be enough without You in my life. I humbly ask your forgiveness for thinking and doing things my own way. Please come into my life and change me. Help me to know You more. I want Your way, not my own.

I surrender my struggles and give my heavy burdens to you. I want your rest. Fill me with your love and teach me how to trust you more. Please restore my hope so I can live to please you the rest of my days. You are enough for me God. Thank you. Your child. Amen.