We seem to live in a world of “never enough.” That’s certainly what television, movies and advertising tell us. No matter how much we have, a little (or a lot) more would be better. We are told over and over (whether we think we’re listening or not): “You will never be truly fulfilled and happy until you get that one job, that one car, that one house. Then you’ll be happy and have all you need.”
Except it’s all a lie created to make us want even more. There’s no way out of that cycle of greed and “not enough” if we stay inside it. Those who create it make sure of that. If we’re not careful, if we don’t learn to find our “enough” in something that lasts, there will always be something knocking on the door of our hearts saying, “more, more, better, better.”
But we do, in fact, have access to enough. Henri Nouwen wrote that he often prayed a prayer of St. Teresa of Avila: “Solo Dios bastia.” (“God alone is enough.”) Praying these words slowly and out loud helped him enter into God’s presence, he wrote, “where there is peace and certainty that God is always with me and loves me.” (Nouwen, Discernment, p. 27). The whole text of Teresa’s prayer is:
Let nothing disturb you.
Let nothing frighten you.
Those who cling to God
will lack nothing.
Let nothing disturb you.
Let nothing frighten you.
God alone is enough.
Or, if you like your poetry a little more modern, how about these words from contemporary worship songwriter Chris Tomlin?
All of you is more than enough for all of me.
For every thirst and every need.
You satisfy me with your love.
And all I have in you is more than enough.
This is the call and challenge of the Christian life, to find in God — Father, Son and Spirit — all that we need, our daily bread and cup of sustenance. For our thirst and hunger for the “more” of this world can only truly be filled by the One who transcends all time, the One who brought all into being and continues to move and work among us.
Ask yourself in silence: What “enough” do I need to let go of so I can cling more firmly to the “enough” that God offers freely and completely?
THANKS!
Thanks of the reminder. It helps in planning my day, not to add more, but to see what is enough.
Thank you, Ross.
Dear Steve,
This is surely a tardy response to your word ‘Enough’ which appeared on June 29th.
It is true that living in this materialistic world, we are bombarded by needs of the physical kind, made painfully aware of and compared to what the Joneses have.
It is no different in Asian society where wealth is very much equated with the kind of house you own, the kind of car you drive, the kind of clubs you belong to and even the kind of places your family goes to when dining out.
And things can get to such a head, that you can see the already filthy rich still chasing that ‘pot of gold’ when theirs is already filled to overflowing, caught as such in that ‘vortex’ of greed. Aah….when will it ever be enough?
And yet our Bible teaches that it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of Heaven.
I’ve often wondered what goes through the mind of our very wealthy Christian brothers and sisters when reading this.
Hopefully it will spur them on to being greater philanthropists, within the church and without.
Stay well Steve and God Bless.
With warmest regards,
Lily Lee
Insightful, as always, Lily. Hope all is well with you and your family.
Steve