Am I enough?

If you had one message to give to the world, what would it be?

Tattoos are a message to the world. Some are carefree, like the Greek symbols that I saw prominently displayed on an older man’s ankle last night. Oops, wish I would have held off on that one. Some are beautiful art, amazing portraits displayed on the skin. Dennis Rodman comes to mind.

But, sometimes tattoos seem to carry a message to the world, almost a deep writing of the soul. Deeply held beliefs are displayed on the skin for the world to see. Look closely and one can pick up the latest cultural movements, thoughts that have gained momentum in society, from some tattoos.

A few years ago, I saw a billboard prominently displayed across an individual’s back that read, “there is no such thing as absolute truth.” I suppose that if you asked many people today if truth is relative, you would get a very high percent of head nods in agreement. In society today, truth depends on the situation, there is no black and white. Man makes up the truth, redefining old cultural norms that are out-dated. No doubt, this particular tattoo screamed what was happening in culture.

This week, I saw a more personal reflection on a lady’s forearm.

“I am enough.”

The tattoo, stamped on the forearm of the lady, screamed at me. A personal statement, a seemingly motivating statement for the individual. I wondered what had happened in her life to proclaim this reminder to herself and the world. Maybe she had traveled a tough road, made it through some difficult trials. Maybe she has low self-esteem, and this is a reminder for her of who she is. Maybe this thought gave her motivation to make it through another day. A glance at her forearm, and the words give her strength.

With the world’s worship of beauty and brawn, I do love the thought of “I am enough.” As I reflect on my kids, I want them to know that they are enough. Especially concerning my daughters, I don’t want social media to define them. They are enough.

But, there is more to the story. In reality, when you think about it, I am never enough. When you focus on “I,” there is always a hole. Sure, one may have a short-term fix, a quick motivating thought to propel forward, but long-term there will always be a gap in your inner-most being. Jobs, popularity, money, material possessions, a spouse, a friend, health, strength, intelligence, talents, all of these are short-term fixes for an eternal problem.

Man was not created to “will” oneself to completeness. Sooner or later, every person will be alone with their thoughts, their view of the world, their unique situation. It is in these moments when we one realizes that they are not enough. The roller coaster of life, the highs and lows, the consistent inconsistencies will wear the strongest down.

Christ came with a message of completeness. A message that we alone are not enough.

Early in his ministry, we see Jesus stop in Samaria to get water at a well. He has an interaction with a Samarian (non-Israelite) woman, with her saying, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samarian woman?” For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.” (John 4:9)

Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:13-14

The woman was a Samaritan, and “Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.” Jesus cut through that world view and strikes up a conversation. But, dig deeper, and we learn a bit more about the woman. She had weathered the storms of life. She had five previous husbands, now working on her sixth. Certainly, there was great pain in the different relationships. The woman approached the well wearing the battle scars of life. None of her relationships had work. She had a hole, and, the relationships were not filling the gap.

The same is true of us. Alone, we are not enough. Nothing in the world will fill the gap. The world will make us believe we are enough, but, sooner or later, reality will hit as we realize nothing provides peace or satisfies the soul. All worldly fixes for peace are short-lived, never bringing rest.

“He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30

This is a message from John the Baptist, as he met Jesus face-to-face for the first time, recognizing Him as the promised Messiah. The statements John made surrounding John 3:30 clearly paint the picture that he could do nothing without Jesus. John knew the key, the One that controlled all, the answer was Jesus. John’s tattoo might read, “I am not enough.”

Back to that opening question. If you had one message to give the world, what would it be? One thought that would solidify your legacy. One message to leave to those you loved most. This is why I wrote The Anchor.

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