Are They Enough?

Part 2 of 5: Revealing the lies, exposing the truth

This is part two of the Enough series and last week’s topic was Are You Enough?

In college I found a roommate by posting a flyer on the school campus. Brandy may as well have been called Blandy she was so stinkin’ boring. Blandy had acceptable personal habits and would occasionally wipe the kitchen counter with a damp sponge, but I don’t think she started a single conversation the entire year she lived with me. I didn’t necessarily think we’d become best friends, but I did expect her to make me feel something. Rile me up, piss me off, make a mess…I don’t care! Just give me something to get my blood flowing. Instead, I heard crickets and saw a closed bedroom door.

Truth is, we come into our relationships expecting something in return. Whether it’s love, acceptance, attention, or in this case, a little at-home entertainment, we come hungry wanting a decent meal. We think, If I can just choose the right table I’ll be happy and content. The needs we have are good; evidence that God designed us for relationship. Problem is, the cravings He put in us were ultimately meant to be filled only by Him. If we think for a second another human will fully meet even one need we’ve bitten into a lie and things start to get murky.

Picture your relationships where the stakes are higher than mine were with Brandy. Is one of those people enough for you? Is a combination of the right people enough for you? Sometimes I think, If I just spread my needs among enough people – my husband, my friends, my kids, my family members – surely, together the sum of them will leave me satisfied. That’s the lie, right there. Biting into that bunk does me no favors. I’m not saying we have to go around expecting nothing. These people can and should be adding depth and joy, comfort and companionship to our lives. We were made to want that, but going to them only  will not be enough.

They say the first step to getting better is admitting there’s a problem. Here’s the issue as I see it: we can get our fill at God’s table. The problem is, Satan takes this truth and twists it ever so slightly, agreeing with the first part, “that we can get our fill,” but then offers a substitute: the table of others. He says, “You don’t need God!  Look at all these bright and shiny people around you. You can see them, you can touch them. They’re so real!”

Don’t listen. Don’t buy in. He’s a liar. A cheat. A thief. Go to the table God’s laid out before you where the water never runs out, the food always satisfies. Stop snacking on people and start feasting on Jesus.

“Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.’” John 6:35

If you’re new, welcome! This is a five-part series and I’m adding links to the titles as I post them. Also, if you’re not receiving emails as posts are published (and would like to) subscribe by entering your email address in the “Receive Email Updates” section on the right-hand side of every page. I promise I won’t sell your address to Pottery Barn.

  1. Are You Enough?
  2. Are They Enough?
  3. Is He Enough?
  4. Is God Enough?
  5. Enough is Enough!

 

But that's enough about me…what about you?

Can you relate? Any tips you'd like to share for feeding on the truth?

Stay Updated Via Email

  • tori

    God is trying to get this in my head and heart right now! As I’m new down here, I’m starting to feel the loss of friends and community from Oak Park. It’s easy for me to think “Oh, if we just had a lot of kids in the neighborhood, things would be better for the boys.” Or, “Once I have formed deeper friendships, I won’t feel lonely.” As I consider these “holes” in our lives left from leaving our home from the past 10 years, I know that they are God-sized holes. It’s a great opportunity for us to learn to come to His table be fulfilled!

    • http://therightvolume.com/ Samantha Livingston

      Thanks so much for sharing Tori! Sweet testimony of how God provided special community for your family before. Praying that will happen again soon and I love your determination to be filled by Him. :)