But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV)
Am I enough?
Some say YES while others say NO as the perception of being enough can be interpreted differently from one person to the next.
ENOUGH, as an adjective, describes something that is sufficient to meet a need or satisfy a desire; adequate” according to The Free Dictionary1. Many make it their goal to be enough by being self-sufficient without needing to rely on others. Others may acknowledge that they are enough as is and are content with who they are. For them, enough is not about reaching a certain standard but accepting self with all its shortcomings.
But how true are these mindsets?
Are we really enough when we are self-sufficient?
Are we really enough when we are satisfied with life as is?
In both cases, being enough is centered around us and what we bring to the table; whether we are bringing all we need or bringing our honest limited selves.
Never our burden to bear
However, we are not meant to live on what we bring to the table. Being enough was never our burden to bear. Because we were never called to be enough on our own. That burden exists because of sin. When Adam and Eve desired to be like God instead of walk with God, being enough became a new ambition for them and an inherited yearning for every single human after them. Prior to sin, being enough was not considered as life revolved around the ONE who is enough and provided every need, spiritually, emotionally, mentally and physically.
Sin has caused us to strive to be enough on our own, doing life in our own strength. Sin has also caused us to be humans with shortcomings that limit our ability to experience the true fullness of life despite how much we strive. In reality, we will never be enough on our own. We all have limitations even if we think we don’t. But we don’t have to settle for a limited life.
The path to being enough
The apostle Paul summed up in the verse below how he wasn’t enough, proudly boasted how he fell short and acknowledged how this was the beginning of walking in power that was not from him.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV)
When Paul was known as Saul, he lived as if he was enough. His bio back then would have read as one who had it all in society: “circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.” (Philippians 3:5-6). But an encounter with Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus changed Saul and his I am enough mindset (see Acts 9).
The boastful Saul was transformed into humble Paul who proudly professed, “So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me (2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT). But as he acknowledged that he was not enough, he recognized that his status of not being enough did not limit him. Instead the humble reality of his poor state opened the door for him to be a valuable worker for Christ. His lack opened the door for the power of Christ to shine forth.
He makes me enough
So, how might Paul answer that question, Am I Enough?
Perhaps, he may say…
I am not enough and that is okay. It’s okay not because I am content with what I lack. It’s okay because I have available to me the power of Jesus Christ to fill me up where I lack. And when He fills in those lacking places, I can say with confidence that I am enough because He makes me enough.
… I am enough because He makes me enough. Not because I can take care of myself. Not because I am okay with my flaws. But I am enough because Christ makes me enough.
May we let go of our striving and our limited view of ourselves and
let Jesus make us enough.
Considerations 