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| The Concept of Enoughness |
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Can we ever really reach a point in our lives where we have enough? It seems as though once we have something we longed for, it is quickly replaced with some other longing for some other object, which becomes like an obsession until we have it, and then the satisfaction from gaining “it” is momentary, until we set our sights on the next “thing”.
What causes this need to have more, and can we ever truly be satisfied? Can we ever have enough that we don’t long for more, and just want to live a status quo of contentment?
I think the only way we can be content is to have Jesus in our life, and allow Him to fill us up and provide our needs…not our wants but our needs.
6:8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. As long as we are alive, we will always want for more, unless we release our wants to Him. But that is easier said than done. I always want more…I want to be debt free, but in order to get there, I need more money coming in before I can get rid of the debts we have accrued. Sometimes life intrudes and things happen and everything costs money…repairs, or accidents, or sickness, and money is always needed, usually more of it than what we have. But if God supplies our needs, then those things should be taken care of.
It is our wants, our desires that cause us problems. I love music, so I tend to buy a lot of cd’s, which I absolutely don’t need. I have so many there is no way I can listen to all of them. Yet, when something new comes out, I want it, and it doesn't matter that I don't need it.
When we reach a certain point in life, it ought to be enough to reach ‘enoughness’. That point should be when we let Jesus into our hearts, and let Him work the miracle of being content with what we have. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t strive to be better people or be ambitious enough to better ourselves financially, but it does mean that we should be content with what we have, and reach that point of “enoughness”. It IS possible to enjoy life without always wanting more, unless that want is a more closer relationship with God. That I hope to never get enough of.
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| To add a comment to "The Concept of Enoughness" |
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| August 19, 2008 |
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| Amen Deb...He satisfies me, yet leaves me more thirsty...and it my prayer too that I never come to a complacent place where I don't want more of Him...thanks for the post! Many blessings! |
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| August 19, 2008 |
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Excellent thoughts Deb. I love the concept of "enoughness"
As I was reading this I was reminded of the 8 months I spent at Savannah Mission Bible Training Center. Which is really just a big fancy name for "Christian Rehab", although, most of my bible training started there.
But during that 8 months, I owned absolutely nothing. The lifestyle of addiction had left me completely homeless and completely broke. Even the clothes that I wore during that 8 months were not mine. They were donations that had been given from loving hearts that cared about those of us who were desolate. Everything, even the food was donated. The days were spent with 5 hours of bible study, then at night an hour of worship and then another hour of devotion. With the expectation of a few daily chores, that was my "new" life, while I was there.
It's going on four years now since I graduated from "the program", and I often find myself looking back and realizing what a true blessing that mission was. It was a time for me to set aside every care of this world and focus on one thing, Jesus. And His truth set me free!
Even after graduating, I often thought about going back to mission life as a counselor. There is no greater reward to me than seeing someone else's life set free from a truth of God's word that you share with them. That's the fruit of our salvation, isn't it?
Well today I find myself back out in the world. But just in it. Not of it. I am still mission minded however. I could leave everything I have behind right now, grab a backpack and go. In fact, I may just do that in the not-so-distant future.
Thanks for reminding me that true abundance comes from only being really concerned about one thing. The Lord!
Great blog! |
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| August 19, 2008 |
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| MsSugaCup, complacency is a common problem among Christians. I pray that we never get to that point... |
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| August 19, 2008 |
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There certainly is a good and bad element to dissatisfaction! While it can lead us to improve (like you suggested), it can create feelings of emptiness. Personally, the emptiness is temporarily satisfied by what I want or need, but it's never enough. Unless it's Christ of course -- sometimes I don't think I can get enough -- is that a paradox? |
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| August 19, 2008 |
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Enoughness, I like that word. Wait, is that even a word?? Oh nevermind, not important. I like what it conveys! lol Only Jesus is enough, and even he isn't enough over time, b/c he keeps giving and there is no end to that giving. (ok, now it could get really deep!) Ok, enough of that. Hey, I have a lot of CDs too! But I stopped buying them for the most part, rather enjoying the silence nowadays. I don't even listen to music in the car anymore! (well almost never) Oh yeah, great blog Deb!! (yep, as usual) |
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| August 19, 2008 |
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| Michael, thank you for sharing some of what you went through. I cannot imagine having to give up everything I have...yet, we will do that when we die, if not sooner. When it comes right down to it, all we really have is Jesus. When it is all said and done, He will be the only thing left for us to hold on to. It only makes sense to make sure that the relationship we have with Him is where it ought to be. |
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| August 19, 2008 |
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Jen, the emptiness we feel, if we try to fill it up with things, will always leaving us wanting more. It might be temporarily filled, but it will eventually wear off. The only thing that will fill us is Jesus.
Mike, I have been turning off the radio and cd's a lot more often these days. I love to sing praise, but have decided I need to spend more time in prayer, or just listening to the silence, and perhaps I will hear the voice of God too. And, I don't think that enoughness is a word. :) |
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| August 19, 2008 |
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| great reminder of what we "NEED" Deb, ppl say that we come into the world with nothing and go out of it the same, well I want to leave this world with Jesus....that's all I need! Amen |
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| August 19, 2008 |
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| Pastor Tim, I will have to check out your pastor's message. Paul certainly had it together by remaining content no matter what the circumstances. |
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| August 19, 2008 |
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| Stu, Amen brother! |
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| August 20, 2008 |
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| awesome blog Deb,,truly enjoyed it! |
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| August 20, 2008 |
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| Cyn, thank you! |
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