Lent Day 17: Jesus is enough (2017)



Every person is needy. Some of us are more self-sufficient and proactive in finding solutions than others. But not one of us can say life is perfect, all the time. Right now, some of us need:
  • healing
  • provision
  • relationship building
  • work
  • forgiveness
  • new insights and wisdom
  • salvation from poor habits and sinful behaviors
Etc. You get the picture. We can't wave a magic wand (or dash off a prayer) and expect Jesus to be the cosmic genie who grants our every wish and fulfills every dream.

But through Jesus, God has offered salvation, healing, and provision to us. When people asked Peter how a lame man was healed, he puts it this way: 

"Then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Jesus is "'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.'

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved." Acts 4:10-12.

Not every person in Jesus' day was healthy. Not everyone had jobs or families. But those who came to ask God for help, always found it. The presence of Jesus often is full of surprises: for example, "Oh, I didn't think this is what would happen!" or "I have to work a lot harder and learn a lot in my new job," or "This 'perfect' new relationship needs a lot of work."

We can be confident that Jesus is enough, though. Even if life is mysterious - perhaps better (and worse) than we hope or can dream up ourselves - God with us brings abundant life.

SELF-ASSESSMENT: In what ways are you trusting God to meet your needs? How are you aligning yourself with his purposes and letting him care for you and yours?

In what areas of your life are you willing to give up control and let the "enough-ness" of Jesus take over?

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