Is Jesus enough? This is the question that has occupied the majority of my thinking the past week. One would think that after deciding to go on the World Race that 'yes' would be the simple answer to that question. Despite this however I don't think I can say that He is enough…not all the time at least. Does my faith really come with conditions?
It's true God give us certain desires and passions in life. That in and of itself isn't a bad thing. It does become sin though, when we desire those things more than Jesus Himself. When we want the benefits of Jesus more than His will for our lives. When we think, “as soon as I have (fill in the blank) I'll be truly happy.” When we come before God and say “okay I'll follow You…if You give me what I want in a timely manner.”
Think about the things your really want in life. Perhaps it's a marriage, kids, that job with that salary, that home you would buy with that salary. Would you still follow God if He didn't give you a single one of those things you desire? If His plans for you look different then the plan you have for yourself, whose plans would you choose?
So, I'll ask again. Is God enough for you? If God didn't give you a single thing you really wanted would you still serve Him wholeheartedly, or would you become bitter and resentful of Christ? There is quote I absolutely love and it says this “A man who has everything in the world and Christ has no more than a man who has only Christ.” You see, this is what blows me away! A personal relationship with Christ really is all you or I need. Everything we need is bound up in the resurrected Savior! Therefore if you have a personal relationship with Christ you are set. Pretty cool, right? So…lets stop looking to all these other things and people to find value. We have it all in Christ! After that, everything He may bless us with is just icing on the cake. Bottom line: If we can't learn to be content in our relationship with the maker of all things then everything else is just gonna disappoint us cause nothing is capable of satisfying our hearts like Jesus can.
If Christ isn't enough then neither will be the marriage I seek, the kids I want or the money I hope to make. The job I want won't matter and I won't find joy in the sorrow when life and the ploys of the Devil are trying to bring me down. I refuse to let that be me! Christ can have my life & my desires, and if He doesn't give me any of them I will still praise Him with all that I am cause Christ has reassured me…He.is.enough.
Blessings,
Chandler
P.S. Please listen to the following song to which I've posted the lyrics below. Pay special attention to what John Piper says starting at the 3:25 mark. This song sums up what I was trying to say in this post, and perfectly represents the cry of my heart. May we as Christians never forget that Christ alone truly is enough.
"I come, God, I come
Return to the Lord
The one who's broken
The one who's torn me apart
You struck down to bind me up
You say You do it all in love
That I might know You in Your suffering
Though You slay me
Yet I will praise You
Though You take from me
I will bless Your name
Though You ruin me
Still I will worship
Sing a song to the one who's all I need
My heart and flesh may fail
The earth below give way
But with my eyes, with my eyes I'll see the Lord
Lifted high on that day
Behold, the Lamb that was slain
And I'll know every tear was worth it all
Though You slay me
Yet I will praise You
Though You take from me
I will bless Your name
Though You ruin me
Still I will worship
Sing a song to the one who's all I need
Though tonight I'm crying out
Let this cup pass from me now
You're still all that I need
You're enough for me
You're enough for me
Though You slay me
Yet I will praise You
Though You take from me
I will bless Your name
Though You ruin me
Still I will worship
Sing a song to the one who's all I need
Sing a song to the one who's all I need"
