I was recently having a conversation with a friend of mine who was thinking of getting a ring that said, “I am enough.“ My first thought was, “What a great idea!” She’s single, and I understood that she was looking for a visual reminder that she is worthy and doesn’t need to settle. But the more we shopped online for this message, the more I grew disenchanted by it. Finally, I said to her, “I know where you’re going with this, but the more I think about it — you aren’t enough. That message is misleading. Only Jesus is enough.”
Some may roll their eyes and think I’m splitting hairs. But as one who wrestles with the sin of self-reliance, I know how easy that trap is to fall in — where you try to do it all yourself and trust no one to help you or support you. I know the dangers of how that mentality can creep into your faith, too, and cause you to forget to go to Jesus with everything. Hands raised here…. Been there, done that. Still do from time to time.
When Peter wrote that we should cast our cares on Jesus (1 Peter 5:7) — he meant it. After all, Peter heard Jesus’ personal invitation that applies to all of us — “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Jesus cares about the things that we care about. Things that may be insignificant in the long-term, but because He cares about us, He cares enough to listen, guide, and direct us.
But Satan has been convincing us of that lie, “I am enough,” since the very beginning. Even in the Garden of Eden, when he convinced Eve that God was holding back from her (Genesis 3), he deceived her into believing that she had to take action if she wanted more power. She bought the lie that says, “‘I am enough,’ not God.”
As I said earlier, I too struggle with the “I am enough” deception. Ask anyone who has ever worked with me. I don’t delegate very well. My professional motto has been “Shove over and let me drive.” In short — get out of my way because “I am enough.”
But that is not remotely close to what the Bible says. In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul shared that he had a personal struggle. He prayed about it, but the answer wasn’t, “You’re enough.” The answer was, “God is enough.” Verse 9 says, “And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
Take pride in the truth that you can’t and aren’t supposed to be enough. Thank Jesus that He is! And He always will be!
Doesn’t that feel AH. MAZ. ING?!?!?! To know that it’s not about YOU, but it’s all about HIM!!!! That we aren’t supposed to be enough, and we’re not supposed to carry these loads!!!! That truth should make you feel a huge weight lifted off your shoulders.
Jesus is enough.
Forever and always.
