“For in him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28a, NIV).

She was sharing the story of her mother’s final days: “You know, the last words she spoke before she died were, ‘Jesus is enough.’” I watched as moisture settled into her eyes but did not fall.

Is Jesus enough? Is God enough?

Sometimes God is all that’s left, as in this woman’s mother’s life or in the lives of many who meet their death for loving Him. When Christians face their own deaths and when the persecuted church throughout our world has nothing left to lose, they certainly can cry a victory song, “Jesus is enough!”

Is He enough for me as well? Enough in the middle of a complex world with good things pulling me in all directions?

How do you quantify enough? It depends on my goals. If I have $5 and need a head of lettuce, that’s enough. If I need time to go fishing and have all day, that’s enough. Tougher questions follow. When I decide how big my house should be, how large my financial portfolio should be, how much time I should be home instead of working or how much to forgive, how much is enough?

If Jesus is enough, what is He enough for?

He’s enough to provide value, purpose and meaning for my life.

He’s enough to hold me up when the world seeks to crush me.

He’s enough to bring joy into each day with His presence.

He’s enough to show me the way.

He’s enough to keep me from destroying myself with self-seeking.

He’s enough to help me forgive the one who hurt me badly, enough to love the unlovely and serve the ungrateful.

He’s enough to “Create in me a pure heart, O God,” forgive me of my sin, reconcile me with the Father.

He’s enough to face my last days like my friend’s mother and know it is okay because He is enough.

Dear God,

Let me anchor all my perceived needs in the truth that you are enough.

Amen