I Am Enough

Olathe Life Fellowship (OLF) has started a new series about being happy. I have been thinking a lot about that this week and about what Dr. Paul Fitzgerald discussed last week. Many of us, myself included, have tried to find happiness in all kinds of things. We had this feeling that we were not enough on our own so if we could do something, own something, or create something we would be happy. I have spent the last twenty years trying to be someone so I could prove to everyone, especially me, that I was valuable. However, no matter how how much praise I received or accomplishments I gained I still knew in the pit of my stomach that if they really knew me they would not love me and thus I would not be loved nor be happy. One day while I was thinking about this whole screwed up process I asked myself the question; what would it take for me to be happy. I thought for a few minutes and consider all the usual suspects; more money, better relationships, better paying job.... After I pondered this for a few moments I felt like God posed a different question to me. The question was something like; "Even if you get all of those things, would you be happy?" Of course the answer was probably not. So of course the follow up question quickly follows; "Then what's keeping you from being happy now". I must admit, I couldn't come up with a good answer. Now I had a lot of excuses and good reason but the bottom line was that the only thing keeping me from being happy was myself. How long was I going to let circumstances, strained relationships, money, jobs (fill in your own blank), etc. keep me from enjoying life. After all, isn't that the good news of Jesus. Jesus said that He came to give us life to the fullest. There is nothing I need to add to the equation to be loved, accepted, valued and happy. I am enough the way I am. There is nothing I can do to add to or subtract from my value in God. Now I have said that for years, but in the darkest parts of my mind I thought that this was true for everyone but me. Because I knew who I really was. I knew my darkest thoughts, my actions and my heart. Surely if God knew all of that, there was no way this offer was good for me too. The truth of the matter is I am. This good news is for me, my family, my friends and yes even my enemies. I wish I could tell you I have this mastered now and I am traveling across country sharing this with everyone I meet. But the truth is I am on a journey of understanding and living this truth. I am still working out what it means to be a loved, valued, and happy follower of Christ.

Well, that's my journey this week. Hope it helps someone.

Peace