This morning, while catching up on some missed bible study lessons from the fall, I was presented with a compelling question; Is God Enough? Or, do I want just a little bit more? As a Christ follower, Jesus is supposed to be my everything. But as a person, living in the world, I don’t think I give him that title, or believe he is ‘enough’.
Even Jesus’ disciples struggled with this. They spent tons of time with him, with God, and still asked for more. “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” John 14:18. They wanted physical proof that God exists, even though they were walking with him the entire time.
Many people don’t believe God exists at all. Maybe it’s because they have struggles in life, or maybe it’s because they don’t believe what they can’t see. The thing is, it doesn’t matter if you believe in God, or not, life still has struggles, and we still won’t ever see God here on this earth. Following Jesus doesn’t make your life awesome and without mess. Instead, it provides you with the instructions on how to navigate this world and the challenges in it. As a Christ follower, you understand that God’s instructions are simple, yet majorly impactful. Following God brings peace and comfort during terrible times, and joy and thanksgiving to follow. God is not out to get us EVER. Instead, he is for us ALWAYS. And he will help guide us through the ups and downs of life every single step of the way.
And we will never see him there. But we know that he is.
The truth is, physical proof of God’s presence is all around us. I know it’s all around me. But, if I’m not focused on Jesus, I won’t see it. Because God rarely presents my answered prayers in the way I expected. And he pretty much never shows me a path that I planned out ahead of time. He certainly doesn’t give me a to do list each day with bullets and priorities, just how I’d like it.
But, in all honesty, I want these things. I want clear instructions. I want a detailed list. I want things to happen quickly, and I want to be happy all the time. I want God to show up one morning for coffee and give me all the inside details that I just don’t understand. I want a ‘thumbs up’ or ‘thumbs down’ when I ask him if I should do something. I want to know the future, and I want to know exactly what heaven looks like. But, mostly, I want everyone in the world to know God.
And when I spend time in prayer, I don’t see him sitting next to me, or feel him wrap his arms around me, but he does. All day long. He walks with me, he talks with me, and most importantly, he loves me unconditionally. He knows me better than anyone. And he is FOR me. Always. And he is here for you too. Whether you believe it or not.
So what else DO I need? Certainly, God should be enough.
Is God enough? Is he even anything to you? Are you finding what you need in this world? Because YOU are enough and everything to him. What’s holding you back from finding out?
tainted fishsticks 
Great thoughts, L. I’ve always believed free will – which is to say everyone’s free will and the interplay and consequences of that – precluded us from getting those clean answers. But sometimes “living in the moment,” which is hard, takes so much concentration and offers so much sensory input that I’m more preoccupied with living than asking questions.
Lori, great post. Our church is starting a series on Heaven and I’ve invited a good handful of people to visit the church on what I believe to be a very “gentle” series… in terms of getting acclimated to a Non-Denominational, Jesus-based church. I’m amazed at how many “I’m taking a break from religion” responses I get. I’m perplexed at what that means, yet intrigued that you really can never get away from God… only miss out on his blessings, guidance and protection. Is it truly the “intangible” that so many people struggle with? I too, admit, I wish I could bask in the “presence of God” feeling all of the time, but your post helped me accept that even when I can’t, he is always a “cry out” away.