Am I enough?

It’s a question we have all asked. Likely at some moment where we felt that we were not. Am I good enough, smart enough, cute enough? This search for validation is a common experience, but it doesn’t have to be a lifelong unfulfilled quest. 

In three of the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), we see a story of a man who had this very question answered for him. He was disabled and unable to get into the house where Jesus was teaching, not only because of his inability to walk but also due to the large crowd that had encircled Jesus. 

Thankfully, he had some help. Four other men carried the corners of the mat that he was laying on, and when they were unable to get him through the door, they cut a hole in the ceiling and lowered him down to Jesus. It was at Jesus’ feet that he found not only healing but something even better: forgiveness for his sins. 

Our algorithm lies to us. They tell us that somewhere at the bottom of our social media feed is the key to finally feeling the validation and acceptance we desire. Simultaneously, they tell us that there is always someone hotter, with a nicer six-pack, a cooler job, going on better vacations, with nice clothes, a faster car, more friends, and greater influence. This lie is that we can never find satisfaction or wholeness, but we are doomed to scroll forever. 

The man in Luke 5 (and Mark 2 / Matthew 9) found the answer to these questions we all ask. When he found himself helpless at the feet of Jesus, he discovered the self-worth he’d been seeking all along. So how do we do the same? How do we find validation in a world that constantly says, “You’re not enough…”

This man found what we must also find if we desire to know that we are “enough”. When he found life. If you read this story, you’re going to see Jesus do something kind of weird. Like, I wouldn’t have done what Jesus did. This man is lowered to his feet in the middle of his teaching, obviously in need of healing, and Jesus… doesn’t heal him. He instead says, “Your sins are forgiven.” 

Why did Jesus do this? I believe it’s because Jesus knew healing would have given him temporary fulfillment; forgiveness gave him a new identity. This man could have walked home, but that physical healing would have only satisfied him for a moment. 

We live in a world of problems, all of which are the result of sin. God made the world good, and then humanity came and messed it all up. All the bad things we see in the world are a result of the sin in it. The good news is Jesus is the solution to the brokenness of humanity. The hope we have for victory over the results of sin is found in Jesus. 

When we find forgiveness in Jesus, we don’t have to live for the validation of this world because we can now live in confidence that we are loved, known by God. We don’t have to search for more when we know Jesus is more than enough. This man (and you and me) were enough for Jesus to live, die, and rise again. How much more “worth” could you be?  

I love the way that Tim Keller put it: “Your identity is not based on how well you do something; your identity is based on how loved you are.” Child of God, you are greatly, richly loved by Jesus. 

The end of this story is kind of anti-clamitic; well, it’s super cool because Jesus does some mind-reading and then heals this dude. So, that’s pretty sick. After that, he just sends the guy home. Which might seem kind of lame, but I believe it was intentional and powerful. 

He sent this man home, just as he sent the woman with the issue of blood to “go in peace” (Luke 8) and the 10 lepers to present themselves to the priest (Luke 17). Because when we find our purpose and worth in Jesus, we can go and live as testimonies of God's power. Your life right now is an exclamatory proclamation that you are enough! 

You are enough for God to have you on this earth, living and breathing as part of his work to redeem the world. Holy cow, do you have purpose! Lord Almighty, are you drenched in destiny? 

So what do we do? Trust Jesus for salvation. Know that our worth and purpose are found in knowing him. The way to know him is to turn from our sin and surrender, trusting in him (yeah, even now).  Second, we trust him in tribulation. When we need help, we look to him. We find ourselves lying helpless at his feet, time and time again.  Lastly, we give him our exaltation. We use our lives to praise him, because even when we are not enough, he’s more than enough for us all.