I keep coming back to the words of our business – More Than Enough.
“You’ve got more than enough.”
“God is more than enough.”
“I have given you more than enough.”
What do these words really mean?
In a time when I am feeling like I am not enough for myself or others, I am sensing the irony of these words in my life. David and I own a business called More Than Enough, and yet I feel like my greatest battle or struggle or challenge, is the feeling of never measuring up.
I am not enough. I strongly sense that I do not measure up to the expectations of myself or others in this world of drivenness, constant movement, business and market expectations, and continued strain and stress on time management.
I started working full-time this fall – the first time since having children 22 years ago. It has been a challenging transition, and as I imagine all working moms experience – there is a need to trim back on activities and relationships because of the need to be at work, feed the family and simply do laundry.
Not easy. With our daughter’s wedding in October, and weeks of seasonal sickness in our house this fall, to say that I am weary is an understatement.
I know I have written about this topic before – the issue of being enough – in other places. I will say it again here. I will truly never be enough in and of myself. I can self-talk daily and tell myself “I am enough”. But God’s Spirit reminds me of a different message – Jesus is my enough. With Jesus in Me – I am enough.
Still. That deep-seated understanding that I fail people and don’t meet their expectations is a reality in life. I am not perfect. I have, and do, and will fail others and myself. I need to rest in His “enoughness” while dealing with the reality of broken relationships, failed business transactions and the pressure to be more.
But here is something I saw this week that brought me comfort and courage. Perhaps it will help you.
Jesus wasn’t enough either.
Yes, He was enough for Himself, and for His Father. He knew deeply and confidently who He was, and what His tasks were, and why He came to earth. He didn’t come to please the crowds, the religious leaders, or his parents.
In the book of John, we find that Jesus repeatedly says He came to do His Father’s will.
“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.” John 4:34
And again in John 8:29, Jesus says: “And He who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him.”
He came to do His Father’s will.
Yet.
He healed on the wrong days. He didn’t stay in certain towns long enough. He let others spend expensive perfume as sacrificial giving, instead of giving it to the poor. He ate with the wrong people. He called Himself the Son of God. He asked the rich to give away their wealth. He cared nothing for positions of power. He paid tax to Rome. He honoured the poor, the prostitute and the tax gatherer. He gleaned food from the field on the Sabbath. He spoke of love, forgiveness and going the extra mile, blessing those who persecuted the people of God.
The expectations of who the Messiah “ought” to have been were great. The people of Israel were looking for a king to conquer Rome and deliver them from oppression and slavery. They wanted a mighty warrior king to rise up and rule. Expectations were high.
Instead, they got Jesus.
Born in a manger. Painfully real. Hidden from Herod, yet revealed to wise kings, and a group of shepherds. Angelic proclamation that filled the sky but only for a few moments. No fanfare, no feasting.
The people were looking for something else – someone else – to change their circumstances. Instead, God sent His Son to change their hearts. He wasn’t what they were expecting.
That is something I want to remember, as I realize it is not my job to be enough for anyone. He is enough. He is more than enough to change my heart. I take consolation that He too was rejected, and didn’t meet the expectations of people around Him. He just wasn’t enough for some people, but those expectations never defined Him. They don’t need to define me either.
Rebecca van Noppen is Communications Director at More Than Enough. She is also a teacher, home educator, writer, and woman who loves to pray. She works alongside her husband, Financial Coach David van Noppen, to help others find hope and freedom in Christ on their financial journeys.
Both David and Rebecca, on behalf of the More Than Enough Team, want to wish you a blessed Christmas. May you each find the contentment you seek in the hands of our Heavenly Father. Best wishes and Happy New Year!