Is Jesus Enough?

Is Jesus enough? This is a question I believe most Christians would automatically answer yes to without much thought. I also believe it's a question we know the answer to in our brains, but do not actually believe with our hearts. I'm including myself in that category and have been humbled by what God has shown me.

As a teacher, I thought I would use education as an avenue to serve God and teach others about Him. Doctors and nurses travel to third world countries for medical missions. Organizations around the world dig wells to provide clean water in the name of Jesus. There are countless programs providing food to the hungry. These are not bad. Jesus commands us, as His followers, to care for orphans and widows, to feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, to care for the poor and sick, to visit those in prison (Matthew 25:31-46, James 1:27) However, we must not neglect Jesus while serving Him.

When I came to Uganda the first time I came to help with a makeshift school in the slums. We would teach the kids about Jesus, give them basic literacy lessons, and just love on kids living in the slums of Kampala. This is not a bad thing, however in the last year God has revealed to me an ugly truth about myself. I needed education as a backup because I didn't truly believe Jesus was enough. Ouch.

I was unaware, but education can often times be an idol in Uganda. Instead of giving them Jesus and a little education, I was feeding their idol with a little bit of Jesus on the side. This happens a lot in our world. Instead of introducing people to the Healer and then caring for them physically, we treat their medical needs and then say a little prayer. We give them clean water and say it's in Jesus' name without ever showing them who Jesus is and how they can know Him. We feed, give water, and clothe the poor without ever introducing them to the God who loves them more than we ever could and wants to provide for their every need. We help them physically, all the while ignoring their spiritual need for a Savior. As this happens, our mission work for Christ is no longer fulfilling His command to go and make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20), instead it's simple humanitarian aid and we've taken the place of God.

So let me ask again, is Jesus enough?

If all we had to give someone was Jesus, would it be enough? If we couldn't provide any education, medical care, food, water, clothes, or protection... would giving them Jesus be enough? I still believe the answer is yes. Jesus is enough. In fact, Jesus is the greatest thing we can give to people around us (Acts 3:6) However, with this new truth, I must now change my thoughts and expectations about world missions, about Africa, and about my role in it all.

God must become greater in my life and I must take my rightful place at the foot of the cross. I am not God. I cannot save anyone. I cannot change hearts. I can only know Jesus and then share the love He pours out on me with others. He has to do the rest for He is the only one that can. Jesus has to get ahold of their hearts, make them new, and bring those people close to His heart. All I can do is be obedient and share His love. With faith in a big God, comes great freedom, joy, peace, and hope! We can expect to see God work in big ways, perform miracles, and change hearts. We can expect to see lives changed by the love and power of God. Not because of anything we are doing, but because we are simply sharing what God has already done for us.