Enough

I’ve been thinking about the concept of “enough” lately.

We returned from the beach having spent a lovely week visiting with family and friends and soaking up the serenity by the sea. I sat in the beach chair under the umbrella, and on the first day, even the second day, I could feel the tension in my shoulders. I was willing them to relax, wanting to unwind. Sitting on the beach does that for me. As I typed that last sentence I realized my shoulders were hunched up near my ears. I pushed them back down.

Madeleine L’Engle writes about the concentration of a small child at play …

… analogous to the concentration of the artist of any discipline.  In real play, which is real concentration, the child is not only outside time, he is outside himself.  A child playing a game, building a sand castle, painting a pciture, is completely in what he is doing.  His self-consciousness is gone; his consciousness is wholly focused outside himself.

L’Engle, M. (1971). A circle of quiet.

Being outside self, outside time, centered in God-space, God-time, absorbing inward his breath, expressively relating inwardly to his presence and outwardly reflecting who he is–his glory, peace, love.

That’s when I experience enough–when I live outside of myself and instead live and walk by the Spirit of God.

What the scripture says about “enough”

The Apostle Paul reminds us that God’s grace is enough; it’s all we need because it is always available to us (2 Corinthians 12:9). Our circumstances can never surpass God’s supply of grace. His grace is sufficient!

In the gospel of John, we learn that God’s peace is sufficient because while we have troubles in this world, Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:33). This doesn’t mean we won’t have challenges, even suffering and death, but the peace of God transcends our circumstances. His peace is enough!

God Himself is sufficient. Isaiah records God’s words to His people saying, “And when you are old, I will still be there, carrying you. When your limbs grow tired, your eyes are weak, And your hair a silvery gray, I will carry you as I always have. I will carry you and save you” (Isaiah 46:4 VOICE). No matter where I am, at home, work, school, play, or traveling afar … He is there; he sees, cares for, and carries me.

So why are my shoulders tight? How does the gospel relate to that tension? Am I forgetting that God is enough? In this moment, I remind myself—there is enough grace, peace, and even enough of God Himself to see me through!

Prayer

Father, you who created us and continues to hold us tightly
In Your hand, you who carries us even to old age,
Teach us to cultivate a contented heart
Recognizing that in You we have enough –
Enough grace, peace, joy, even enough
Time, space, and energy to live and walk
In step with the Spirit. May our contentment
Point others to You – for Your glory.
Amen.