All Things New

“Jesus is enough.”

C&MA founder A. B. Simpson wrote a signature hymn, “Jesus Only,” declaring: “Jesus only, Jesus ever, Jesus all in all we sing / Saviour, Sanctifier, and Healer, Glorious Lord and Coming King.” We still express the same sentiment in more contemporary style when we sing “You Are My All in All.” We’re applauding the complete sufficiency of Christ, as Pastor Ben did Sunday.

Have you ever secretly wondered about that concept? How can Jesus be everything to me? Without doubt He’s the most important, the greatest, the most wonderful “element” in my life… but I also need food and clothing and money and flesh-and-blood people to love and be loved by. I need a place to live and an occupation and a group of believers to worship with.

Jesus only?

It takes awhile to figure out – not just in the head, but in the heart – this “Jesus only” concept. Consider these Scriptures:

“For from him and to him and through him are all things” (Rom. 11:36 NIV).

“There is but one Lord, through whom all things came and through whom we all live” (1 Cor. 8:6 NIV).

“[Christ] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross” (Col. 1:15-20 NIV).

Jesus created all things. Not just in Genesis 1, but today “from him and through him are all things.” That includes not only the things I need, but all that is the very best for me. His provisions for the things I run after every day. His solutions to my needs and deepest longings. All are found in Him.

So I can’t do anything better than focus on Christ this coming year. He’s where the answers are located. He’s where the supply of strength and grace resides. He’s where every good gift originates. And He’s orchestrating my days and shepherding my steps and tending attentively to every detail of my life. And yours, too.

He’s looking out for us all. And He’s saying, this first week of January 2010, “In this New Year you will have trouble and needs and questions and longings and unexpected challenges… but Look to Me! Be of good cheer! I am the Rescuer and the Problem-Solver and the Provider and the Answer and the Supplier of every good and perfect gift.

“It’s true. I am Enough.”

So here’s a practical suggestion, a habit to begin this week and carry on throughout the year until it becomes an ingrained response. It’s this: Whenever a need arises or a dilemma presents itself (from no money for new tires to that monumental decision that must be made), take time to focus on Christ alone. Tell Him you know the answer is found in Him. Tell Him you trust Him. Tell Him He is enough.

In fact, I’ll bet there’s a problem you could take to Him right now…