"God just isn't enough."

There are many things that I could talk to you about here in this space, but there is one item in particular that has been on my mind for that last couple of day and I would like to share it with you. Most of you know that for the last several weeks we have been studying the Song of Songs and in so doing have discussed marriage, relationships, sex, men and women. Well, over the last few weeks I have received a couple of prayer cards from an anonymous young woman. Without going into great detail, she is asking for prayer because of an inappropriate relationship she is in. She knows that she needs to walk away from the guy she is with, but deep down she doesn’t want to because she enjoys being with him and the things they do. There is a phrase that she has used in both cards that has echoed in my mind simply because she is not the first to utter it. In fact every one of us has said or thought this phrase at some point in our lives…maybe even today. Here is the phrase: “God just isn’t enough.”

Now, if you’re a Christian and you read the Bible you know the statement is ludicrous. Honestly, how could the creator, sustainer, rescuer of the universe not possibly be enough? As ludicrous as it may be, there are times when we all swear it’s true.

You can’t pay your bills—God just isn’t enough!

A relationship ends—God just isn’t enough!

You lose your job—God just isn’t enough!

You can’t get into a relationship—God just isn’t enough!

You’re involved in a sin that you enjoy—God just isn’t enough!

So how should we respond to that statement when it pops up in our lives? Here are three responses from the Bible that can bring us back to the truth:

1) God is for us. He is on your team and he wants what is best for you, and he should know—he created you. The apostle Paul writes, “What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?” ~ Romans 8:31

2) God is a giver. God’s character is marked by his generosity, grace, and love. So often when we articulate the phrase, “God just isn’t enough!” for one reason or another we have felt like God has taken something from us. Or at least he has denied us something great…from our perspective anyway. However, what is the truth? Jesus said, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” ~ John 3:16. Sounds to me like God is a big time giver!

3) God wants us to grow. Because God is for you he is going to shape you, nudge you, push you, and sometimes irritate you to grow. That means God will allow hardship to happen in your life. It means God will put people in your life who will tell you the truth and keep you accountable. It also reminds us as to why God gave us a law and commands. To keep us from pursuing things, people, or activities that ultimately will hurt us and keep us from a relationship with him. Jesus taught this, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” ~ John 15:1,

Now, to the young lady out there who is struggling with the idea that God just isn’t enough, I want you to know that I am praying for you. I’m praying that you will always remember that there is nothing that you can do that will keep God from loving you. God is crazy in love with you…more then any man will ever be! I’m also praying that you will know the truth about God and that the truth will set you free.