How much is enough?
Do you think we’ve saved enough for retirement?
Do you think we have enough to put all the kids through college?
I only bought one gallon of paint…will it be enough to cover this wall?
We invited some friends over for dinner…do you think we’ll have enough? Just take one piece of chicken to start, we want to make sure there is enough for everybody.
I know we committed to tithing to the church this year, but are you sure we will have enough to do everything else we want?
I did my best on this assignment, but I’m not sure if it’s good enough.
Regardless of the situation or the circumstances, I’m often concerned about having enough, doing enough, or even being enough.
This topic of “enough” comes into focus in the Gospel lesson for this Sunday from John 6:1-21. This account is commonly referred to as “the feeding of the 5000.” Once again, Jesus seeks to steal off to a quiet place to spend time with his disciples, but the crowds are around and they follow them. Wanting to test his follower, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?” Philip answered him, “Six months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.” Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?” A question, doubt, and possibility.
When you are confronted with situations or circumstances of uncertainty, what is your inclination? DOUBT or POSSIBILITY? Do you react with, “This will never work! How did I get myself into this situation in the first place?” Or, do you respond with, “I’m not sure what we’re supposed to do, but I suppose I can give it my best try.”
Our world, our culture, our society are all rampant with worry, fear, and anxiety. What are we going to do? How are we going to make it? “What if…???” During these anxious times, our tendency is to turn inward— to seek self-sufficiency, to try to “get it right.” The problem is, my own capacity and resources are limited. If I’m afraid it’s not enough, it could lead me into despair.
Thank goodness that God is not limited by our understanding or faith. Confronted with the reality of 5000+ hungry people, Jesus broke bread, offered it to those gathered with Him and said, “take and eat.” Following the meal, they gathered up the leftovers, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. It seems like they had enough after all.
Blessings to you all,
Pastor Adam
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