Wednesday, October 10, 2012

What's enough?

Betsy here, with a hard question today.

What's enough?

Interesting question, too - and if you ask a 4 year old, the answer is usually "nothing". lol They always want more juice in their sippy cup, more Cheezits in their bowl, more cartoons on TV, more candy at Halloween, more money in their piggy bank, more friends at their birthday party, and always, always more cake.

It's never enough.

And we're sort of like 4 years old too, aren't we?

We never have enough friends. Enough popularity. Enough allowance. Enough clothes. Enough attention from the hot guy at school. Enough status. Enough cash. Enough talent for the team. Enough GPA to get to the college we want to go to.

It's exhausting, isn't it? The good news, JESUS is enough. And I know that sounds like a trite, church answer. I used to think that too, used to think that I SHOULD believe that. And I did believe it. But rarely felt it. It was like, okay, God, I know you're supposed to be enough for me, and my pastor says that a lot, but I'm not feeling it. Come on - I'm human. I want this other stuff too. I want a boyfriend and a husband and kid and a good job and my dreams to come true. I want to love and be loved. I want money and a nice house one day and security. I want to tour Europe and live life. What's wrong with that?

Jesus came that we might have ABUNDANT life. And abundant life isn't found when we stick Jesus to one side and focus on that never ending, exhausting, "never enough list". Because when we get those things, we discover they weren't enough after all.

And that truly, seriously, deeply - only Jesus is.

Think about that today, as you review your list of wants and needs and desires and longings. Where does Jesus fit at the list? The Bible tells us to seek FIRST the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added. "Added" - meaning, later, in addition to, at another time. Because we have to get the steps in the right order, guys. And when we truly live for Jesus and want Him and let Him be enough in our hearts, we're strengthened and encouraged for the journey.

4 comments:

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emii said...

Hey Betsy,
This post has the words I'm seeking. The truth I need to know. Because I feel like I'm doing nothing right, trying to be who I think people want me to be and I say whatever comes to my head and it's like I'm turning into some fool and I don't want that. I need to give everything up, and like you said... well, Jesus is the single only only only thing I need. The only thing that will fill my empty being. Not Jesus AND blah blah blah, whatever it might be -- just Jesus. Because Jesus is life.

Betsy St. Amant said...

Hi Emii! I'm so glad God is speaking truth to you through my post. What a blessing. Letting Jesus be enough in our lives is a HARD lesson to learn but such a powerful one. It's after this that His blessings flood. You're right, Jesus is the only One who can fill us completely. I will pray for you, that He will work in your spirit and give you this confidence and peace. :) Thanks for sharing!!