Enough

There’s a strange and disturbing trend flooding our youth group. It’s not particularly cutting edge or original. But, it’s here and must be dealt with. It’s the concept of being “enough.” 

Several years ago I chose the word “enough” as my word of the year. That might have been a strange and disturbing trend too, but I enjoyed it - having something to focus on and set my course by. I had similar thoughts to what the youth group is experiencing  - I was worried that I wasn’t “enough.” Enough of what I’m not sure. 

Strong enough, pure enough, dedicated enough. I don’t know what my problem was. But, I was pretty sure I didn’t measure up to whatever it was God had in mind for me. Eventually, though, I felt like God was telling me it was ok. I didn’t need to be enough. I was already enough. He was delighted with me just as I was. 

But, I didn’t believe Him. I persisted in my pleas for God to change me into whatever better version of Amy He thought I should be. And soon instead of a still small voice reminding me that He was enough and I didn’t have to be, I started to hear a stronger, firmer voice telling me, “Enough!” As in, cut it out. Stop it. Get over it. Enough!

I’m afraid our students need to hear that reprimand now. I’m afraid they need to have God or someone tell them they’re not enough. They never will be. What would they need Jesus and His saving grace for if they were enough? But, enough already. It’s cool. You’re cool. You just need to trust. 

It’s like in To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. At the end Lara Jean and Peter have an honest discussion, finally. Peter tells Lara Jean that he loves her after Lara Jean confesses that she likes him, and not in a fake way. At that point Lara Jean asks what they put in a contract for a real relationship. And, Peter replies, “Nothing. You gotta trust.”

God’s like that. He’s not up in Heaven thinking of all the random and specific things you need to stop doing or start doing in order to be in an acceptable relationship with Him, or to be an acceptable version of yourself. “Don’t talk bad about your friends.” “Read your Bible for 45 minutes every morning and night even if you’re so tired you’re definitely going to fall asleep.” “Go to church every time the doors open.” 

God’s not like that. Sure there are things that will make Him proud of you if you stop doing them. But, He’s not going to leave you if you don’t. He’s sticking around. He loves you! And, you don’t have to worry about being enough because He is enough. And, He’s got this. 

You just gotta trust.