Soul “Not Enough”
A very popular and effective taunt to our souls is, “You’re not enough.” Not enough for your own responsibilities, for those you’re responsible for; for your job, for your personal life, for anything. So much lack, so much need, so much pressure, so many limitations.
I’ve stayed there too long at times. It’s quite convincing. Because I am so inadequate.
I think that’s the point. We are in utter need of so many things.
“Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God who has made us adequate…” (!) 2 Cor. 3:4-6
Ok so we’re inadequate yet He makes us adequate. How does that happen and why don’t I feel adequate?
I wonder how the little boy who brought his lunch felt when he offered it to feed the thousands of people. I wonder if he felt adequate. I doubt it! It’s ludicrous to think it would make a difference. How often am I there thinking, “how are you ever going to make a difference in this sea of need?”
What good would it do? What I have is nothing or very little in contrast to the need. That’s exactly what Jesus wants us to bring to him. The bit that we have. Our “nothing”! We offer and He multiplies. When we need to give and we don’t have much, we bring our little lunch, and let Him take it and do something with it. I don’t have to be adequate but with Him, I’m made adequate.
It’s quite freeing.
So, although what I bring to a situation, to a conversation, to a crisis, to a job, to a person, is and always will be inadequate, next to Him we’re in it together. And He’s the focus. I show up with my “I don’t know if this is anything, but here…” I offer, I watch, I engage with Him. I wait. I expect His work. It may not look at all like I thought, but he receives what we bring and expands it.
Actually, the boy may not have had the guts to bring it at all. The disciples just mention it as almost nothing. But Jesus received it.
“One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” John 6:8, 9
So what you have in your hand, the experience, time, talent, skills, trials or goods, may seem like next to nothing. It may be inadequate for what your day may need. But we bring it and rely on Him for what He wants to make of it.
So my inadequacy is actually a great reminder to me of where to turn to make me adequate!
Flip the switch: When the overwhelming comes your way, telling you you’re inadequate, you can give thanks for the reminder and turn to the All Adequate One.
As Saint Benedict put it, “Always we begin again.”