Never Enough...

My girls and I finally spent an evening watching The Greatest Showman. What a movie! What a soundtrack! What a cast! It was amazing and completely lived up to all the hype. It was eye-catching from the beginning to the end. A child with a dream. Overcoming adversity. Showing up his haters. Hiring the underdogs. Building up people who don’t feel good about themselves. The guy gets the girl. Every aspect of the movie was fantastic. His highs and lows. Each scene keeping you at the edge of your seat. Sadness at the end, wanting so much more. And the music!  The songs!! A blog post heaven for sure! So the first - Never Enough. 

Looking at this theme throughout the movie, the characters, especially the “oddities” that he hired for his circus, I identified with them! How many times in my life I have felt the freak. Too fat. Hairy arms. Acne all over my body. Wart on my nose. There were many times, especially in junior high and high school where I felt like I would fit in with the circus crowd better than anyone else. I remember the relief one day of walking through the University of Washington campus and seeing so many different people and thinking “there are other weirdos like me around. I blend in here.” 

I still deep down sometimes hear the “never enough” tapes in my head. You’ll never be pretty enough to find a boyfriend. You’ll never be good enough to be anything more than a bench warmer. You won’t be smart enough to be a doctor. You’re not bubbly enough to be a good speech therapist. And in my not so shiny moments still today those are the tapes that play in my head. That I’ll never be enough. 

It doesn’t matter how many miles I run, I’ll never be enough. It doesn’t matter how many pounds I lose, it’ll never be enough. It doesn’t matter how many miles I drive my girls to dance, it’ll never be enough to be a good mom. No matter what I plan, I’ll never be good enough at my job. Never enough...

Those words are from Satan. He whispers those things into my ear every chance he gets. And like the circus group in the movie, I feel badly about myself. I feel like I don’t fit. I feel like a misfit in a world of people who are so much better than me with everything. 

And then I remember exactly what season we are in. In the Lutheran Church, and many others, we are heading into Holy Week. The week that kicks off the Passion story. In four days, it is Good Friday. This day is a day to worship and remember the amazing sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He was sent to earth as a human. He preached His gospel and in an ultimate gift to us, allowed Himself to be beaten, tortured, tormented, and nailed to a cross. He suffered unthinkable pain and agony. He died and was buried in a tomb. For what? Why did He go through all of that?

For me because, in His eyes, in the eyes of my Heavenly Father, I’m enough. And I’ll always be enough. And even better than that? I don’t even HAVE to be enough. I don’t have to be anything except His daughter. Faithful and trusting in His plan and His purpose. Sharing my faith with others so that they may learn of the amazing things the Jesus has done for them. 

So listen! You are enough in God’s eyes always! Come as you are to His feet and listen to all He has to offer you! Redemption! Grace! Mercy! Forgiveness! Peace! Joy! Hope! What are you looking for this Easter season? Whatever it is, your God has it ready and waiting for you! 

You are enough! I am enough! And His love and sacrifice will always be enough!

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son. That whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life! 

If you want to learn more, if you want to find out why He thinks you are enough, why you are worthy of this staggering sacrifice, please come and join us this week for church! Listen to His message! Feel His presence! Discover just how much He loves you! You are enough! Always and forever.

If you are compelled to join us for church, our services at Peace Lutheran are Maundy Thursday service at 6:30 pm, Good Friday service at 8:00 pm, and Easter Sunday services at 7:00 am and 10:30 am! Or check out any other of the wonderful churches on our area. This is an amazing time to be in the church! So much hope! So many messages of peace! So many reminders that you are enough! He loves you oh so much! Come hear more!