One of my favorite verses in all of the Bible is found in 2 Corinthians 9:8: “And God is able to make all grace abound to you so that having all sufficiency in everything you may have an abundance for every good thing.” Isn’t that fantastic? Such wonderful words packed into one little verse.
All. Abound. Everything. Abundance.
This robust, rich verbiage remind us that we have enough to take on any and every task that God sends our way.
That is why I love what my friend and guest blogger, Rachel Anne Ridge , is sharing with us today. Every sentiment she writes is dripping with the beauty of this verse and, even more, the beauty of her life. She teaches me the joy that comes when a woman truly understands the boundless depth of her value and riches in Christ. She has shown me that a simple life can be more full and fabulous than I ever imagined if I’ll just remember this one small yet profound principle: You have enough.
I’m so grateful to her for that.
She is a dear friend and much needed mentor wrapped in one gracious, gorgeous package.
I’m so glad to share her with you today.
Enjoy.
Priscilla
I don’t have enough time.
I don’t have enough money.
I don’t have enough talent.
I don’t have enough education.
I don’t have enough connections.
I don’t have enough.
I AM NOT GOOD ENOUGH.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve spoken those words. Or how many times I’ve stepped back from a new opportunity because I felt the things I lacked “disqualified” me.
Honestly, I’ve had a “Not Enough” mentality my whole life. I’ve heard it called a “Scarcity” mentality, and I believe that describes it well. It’s the mindset that says, because there isn’t enough (fill in the blank) you’ve got to hold on to what little you have because you might run out.
Scarcity, or Not Enough, looks like this:
I don’t have enough money for my bills, so I can’t give to church.
I don’t have enough time to teach Sunday School, so I won’t even be a classroom helper.
My husband may leave me someday, so I won’t give 100% of my heart to him today.
I’ve been rejected by friendships before, so I won’t invest in any more of them.
This job is all I qualify for, so I can’t consider looking for anything better.
I need to hang on to my valuable ideas because someone might steal them.
I won’t compliment this person because they’ll take over my position.
I must keep my money and resources safe, “just in case.”
Helping others succeed means less success to go around for myself.
Scarcity makes us become territorial. It makes churches fight over members. It makes us make catty remarks about others. It makes us hoard our resources. It keeps us from stepping out and experiencing the thrill of depending on God.
The Scarcity mindset makes our lack big – and makes God small.
When we operate out of lack and fear and holding on, we are essentially saying, “God is not big enough to take up for me. He is not big enough to fight my battles. He is not strong enough to hold my marriage, or provide a new job, or use me in ministry. My lack is greater than God’s ability to overcome it.”
But I’m convinced that God never asks us for more than what we can give. And when He does ask, He wants to reveal His mighty power in our circumstance. He asks us to jump in with His plan, boots and all, and watch Him be enough to make a miracle happen. He makes us enough through His ability.
I’m reminded of the widow woman in I Kings 17:9, who was asked by Elijah for a cake of bread and some water. At that very moment, she had only enough flour and oil for one last meal for her son and her to eat, and then they faced certain starvation in a time of famine. It was a hopeless situation – real, true scarcity.
No doubt she had been carefully rationing her supplies for months, knowing that eventually she would run out. And the day was finally here. This, THIS would be their last pitiful meal together. With a rumbling stomach she gathered sticks for the fire and set the scene for their good-bye.
And then Elijah showed up and asked for THEIR meal.
The widow faced a decision. She did not have enough food for all of them. She could have explained her situation and been perfectly justified in not sharing. But rather than keep what little she had, she was willing to give all of it.
She said YES.
That’s when a miracle happened: As she poured her oil, it just kept coming. As she scooped her flour, there was more to scoop. There was enough. Enough for Elijah’s meal. Enough for her and her son’s meal. Enough for the next day, and the next day, and the next day.
Enough to feed the three of them for two whole years.
I love that Elijah’s request was for ONE cake of bread. It was just what she had. She had just enough. He did not ask her for two years’ worth of food. He asked her for one meal. And she stepped out in faith to meet the need.
I wonder how many times I’ve missed out on a blessing because I didn’t think I had enough “food for a whole famine?” Scarcity made me clutch my paltry possession instead of opening my hand in His abundance. I focused on my little bit, rather than His bottomless provision. On my lack, rather than His endless supply.
Listen:
God never runs out.
He has enough of whatever it is you need.
He has everything for every circumstance.
His standard operating procedures are Abundance, Fruitfulness, Provision. Strength. Mercy. Grace. Love. Generosity. Miracles.
He. Is. Enough.
Questions: How has a scarcity mindset kept you from experiencing God’s abundance? Would you share how you have overcome this and stepping into His “Enough?” We’d love to hear!
