Can you believe it is a new year? And 2017? Really? It has been a week filled with hurdles, but sickness gave me time to be still (or else) and listen to Jesus. What he reminded me of most was his love.
Someone once asked john D Rockefeller, the millionaire how much money would be enough. He replied, "Just a little bit more." We can all relate to these feelings when it comes to money, but what about other things? We are bombarded by ads that promise we can be thinner in 30 days. TV shows has happy families who solve any problems they have in 50 minutes. With the right poduct we can be model gorgeous for $9.99 a month. These sound like great things, but my body didn't get the message and refuses to cooperate. How thin is thin enough? In spite of trying everything the actors on TV did, my family's problems are not solved in 50 minutes. Am I good enough, patient enough, firm enough, gentle enough, enough, enough, enough?No matter how many products I buy, I do not look like any of the models on TV?. Am I pretty enough? The list goes on.
I am sure that you have your own list. Two questions need to be answered. What is the problem and what is the answer. The problem is that we are looking for our significance in the wrong places. We are not alone, either. Ecclesiastes talks about Solomon's search for "enoughness"He looked for it in money possessions, wives, pleasure and so many other things. He repeatedly came to the conclusion that it was all vanity.and chasing after the wind. He had just as many roadblocks to significance as we do, but they looked different. Here is the wisdom that he leaves us with in Ecclesiastes 9:7.Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do. 8 Always be clothed in white, and always anoint your head with oil. 9 Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun—all your meaningless days. For this is your lot in life and in your toilsome labor under the sun. 10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.
For many of us the question is are we spiritual enough or working hard enough for God. Micah 6:8 says that God has shown us what is good and what the Lord requires of us. To do justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with our God. It does not come down to a long checklist.
Forr those of us who struggle to be pretty or thin enough, God says in 1 Peter 3:3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.
In the face of all the conflicting messages let us remember that God has paid a great price for us and that we are enough for him.
