It’s Enough

A Living Alive Letter Series

My Dear Wonderlings,

Passover is such a beautiful tradition. Whenever I get the chance, I attend one during the Easter season. My favorite part of the remembrance is called the Dayenu, when those around the table declare the goodness of God by singing of His great acts of kindness to Israel, from freedom out of Egypt to the building of the Temple. Each phrase begins with an act and ends with “it would have been enough”. Meaning, God could have stopped caring for Israel at any point during their journey, but He never has. God has never stopped loving Israel. If He led them out of Egypt but didn’t part the Red Sea, it would have been enough. If He parted the Red Sea but didn’t drown their enemies, it would have been enough. This is what it sounds like, and it’s beautiful. It’s beautiful because it is a reminder that God owes humanity nothing. We are the ones who wrecked His perfect world by bringing evil into it. He steps into our mess out of choice because of His great love for the people He created.

As a Christian, I would add – If He cared for His people, but didn’t promise a Messiah, it would have been enough. If He promised a Messiah, but didn’t fulfill it through Jesus, it would have been enough. If He kept his promise by sending Jesus but didn’t send the Holy Spirit after Jesus went back to the Father, it would have been enough. If He sent the early Apostles the Holy Spirit but didn’t act and involve Himself in the world today, it would have been enough. If He involved Himself in the world but didn’t promise to free me from fear, it would have been enough. I’m so close. He doesn’t have to care and keep caring, but He does. It may look different now than it did then, but I’ve seen too much to believe otherwise.

I think about the concept of enough and what enough looks like. If it is indeed enough, why do I carry a strain in my stomach from stress? Honestly, because the money I have in my pocket just isn’t enough. I consistently envision running out or encountering some kind of problem. How would I live? I’ve never had to worry about basic needs before. But He has been providing for me, and this small amount covers what I need and provides a little extra. The means are unconventional, but He is taking care of me. At some point, I must blow the whistle and say it is enough. Providing for me is easy for Him. Changing my heart and altering my perspective on life, now that’s tricky. He will provide for me because, as David said, He has never let his faithful ones fall between the cracks, but what I learn in between is up to me and how much I choose to pay attention to Him rather than these little worries. Right now, I am covered, and it is enough.

You Have My Sword,

Olivia

P.S. I'm not afraid of carpenter bees anymore, but I draw the line at flying into my face. Personal space please, sir.