Not too long ago a senior in high school asked me when she’d be good enough for Jesus. What a question. I hope, and I imagine for those of us who have any kind of relationship with Christ, we ask ourselves this question. We might just ask, “Are we good enough?” I’ve certainly considered this question. Sometimes in the youth ministry I do. I find myself envious of other youth ministers with bigger budgets, more kids, greater influence, more connections, and the list goes on and on. I look to them and think that person or that ministry, that’s enough. I think part of the challenge we face in the Western Hemisphere is being aware that there is always more, and we don’t have it. Isn’t this the premise of our capitalist economy? We can earn more, create more, do more, and live the American dream — going from nothing to something, and then to something more. The thing we don’t ever seem to quite grasp is that there is always more than what we have; there’s always infinity plus one.

We watch our presidential candidates all vying for more and more power in the form of votes, press coverage, likeability, electability, polls, air time, and on and on. Whether we believe America should be great again, or America already is great, we as a nation seek to be the most powerful in the world. We chase after greatness. I could go into a discourse on the tenth commandment and not coveting but I think this chasing after power and greatness and “enoughness” goes beyond coveting and idolatry, though those are valid places to start. No, I believe this focus, this desire, craving and lust for “enoughness” is a dangerous distraction from Jesus. It makes the goal something other than Jesus; it makes the end goal self-reliance. Jesus is quite clear to remind us in Matthew 9:12-13,12 But when Jesus heard this, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.” Jesus knows we aren’t enough. He knows we are sick sinners. He’s not only the doctor with the cure, he is the cure and if we were able to make ourselves well enough, we’d have no need for him!

Ultimately I think our lives should be more about surrender. This should not be confused with what some Christians say when they proclaim, “we must choose Jesus”, or “make a decision for Christ.” The problem with that language is that we are still in charge; we are still in control and are actually self-sufficient. Surrender is about the opposite. It’s a total loss of control. We have no ground to stand on, there is nothing left. One who surrenders has no power. Christ lived a life of surrender because he chose not to count himself equal as his father, he choose the powerlessness that is the human form and this cost him everything. We need to recognize that our chase after power and “enoughness” is what Ecclesiastes describes as “vanity” or chasing after a vapor. Luther tells us we must remember to die daily in our baptism.

As I write this I am a very expectant father, as in, my daughter-to-be is already a full week overdue. My wife and I anxiously await her arrival but at this point all we can really do is surrender. Yes we could walk miles, eat spicy foods, and engage in activities that we as a married couple are licensed to do. But at the end of the day, even if we are induced, we have no power over this process. We must surrender the birth of our child to God. This is literally our only option. It’s challenging to trust in the Lord, but we are reminded this is righteousness. Not when we are good enough, are in control enough, or have it all together enough, but when we believe that Jesus is enough. Don’t get caught up in if you believe enough. Recall the centurion’s words, “I do believe, help my unbelief.”

What if our mantra and our prayer for ourselves, our families, our communities, and even our nation echoed the words of St. Paul in his second letter to the Corinthians in the 12th chapter; The Lord said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong. In case you are wondering, I told the senior she was never going to be good enough for the Lord, but that Christ is always good enough for her and he calls her just as she is! Amen!

Contributed by Joshua
Monday May 30, 2016
Liturgical Year C: Week 27
Liturgical Color: green
Sunday Gospel reading: cProper4
Second Sunday after Pentecost