You Are Enough: The Wisdom of the Next Right Thing

I recently came across the following Old Testament scripture and immediately collected it for reflection for my ongoing project, “Songs for the Young and the Young at Heart.”

“Alas, Sovereign LORD,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.”But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the LORD. - Jeremiah 1:6-8

In these verses, two messages are highlighted in my mind:

(1). More age doesn’t necessarily equal more wisdom.

(2). Wisdom comes from Inspiration (or, from beyond our rational mind).

1 Corinthians 1:27 has also been speaking to me:

But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.

These verses suggest that age and status have nothing to do with wisdom or God’s ability to use us for His glory.

The idea of wisdom coming from the young or the weak is not an idea exclusive to Christianity, either.

Zen wisdom and koans are almost so simple to the point of being childish “nonsense” on the surface level.

Here is one example:

Once a monk made a request of Joshu. Once a monk made a request of Joshu. "I have just entered the monastery," he said. "Please give me instructions, Master." Joshu said, "Have you had your breakfast?" "Yes, I have," replied the monk. "Then," said Joshu, "wash your bowls." The monk had an insight.

Wisdom is not necessarily complicated; in fact, more than often, it's not.

It can be as simple as doing the next right thing.

Taking the next inspired step.

Speaking the next inspired word.

Eating breakfast and washing your bowl.

We work so hard over our lifetime to sculpt and refine our reputation, to find and create meaning, and to achieve some lasting legacy on this earth.

But if we live long enough, we all become “childlike,” weak, and feeble in old age.

We are all constantly in state of change. We are all at the mercy of time and forces larger and stronger than our human wills.

We are all children of God and as His children, we have intrinsic value.

The amount of years lived and the things we think of as our accomplishments do not equal more significance, wisdom, or meaning.

There isn't some grand plateau you need to reach in order for your life to meaningful.

We all only have exactly what God gives us, and that is enough.

You are enough, just as you are, have been, and will be.