Hand-grenades and Horseshoes!  Though grim, our expression, “’close’ only counts in hand-grenades and horseshoes” betrays how tightly coupled acceptance and performance tend to be.  At least in our way of thinking.  We are constantly pondering and asking whether we are “good enough?” 

Are we good enough to make the team?  Good enough to get the promotion?  Good enough to pass the test?  Good enough to get that scholarship?  Good enough to navigate life’s next challenge? Good enough to please our parents or a beloved?  Good enough to find or hold on to love?  Good enough to make a lasting mark on this world?  Good enough to enter the next?  Have we done enough?  Are we enough?  And what if the answer is ‘No?’

More than intellectual curiosity, the question “Am I  ‘good enough’” is a deep impact crater left in our souls by Adam’s broken covenant of works.  It is the anxiety at the root of most anxieties.  Even the outwardly successful and self-confident, still struggle with the adjective ‘enough.’  And often remain relentlessly driven for ‘more.’  As songwriter, Rich Mullins once sang, “Everybody I know says they need just one thing and what they really mean is that they need just one thing more.”

We often assume that because everyone is asking a question, it must be the right one.  But what if “am I good enough” is simply not the right question?  Will we let it go?  Will we abandon the idols that embody our ‘goodness angst?’  And start asking and answering the right question?

A Rich Young Ruler approached Jesus in Mark 10 with a burning question.  “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”  Mark tells us he was rich.  Matthew notes he was young.  And Luke tells us he was a ‘ruler.’  He seems to be asking the right question.  Unlike with the questions of the Pharisees neither Jesus nor Mark question his sincerity.  Yet Jesus’ rightly perceives that underneath the good words is the ancient angst.  Matthew even notes that he asks “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?”

The Jewish culture of Jesus’ day saw wealth and success and an indicator of God’s blessing and acceptance.  Prominence was equated with God’s favor.  And this man had it in spades.  Though young, he had amassed wealth and social standing.  Quite literally Luke’s word ruler, means a “first one.”  No doubt he was a remarkable young man.  Remarkable in society and in business. 

Yet it seems he was beginning to sense that temporal success is not the same as eternal security.  He has been a good man.  He has not killed anyone, stolen anything, defrauded his neighbors, or stolen anyone’s wife.   Since childhood, he has lived respectably.  But there was something unsettled in his soul.

What must ‘I’ do?  How good is ‘good enough’ to enter into the Kingdom of God?  What is the one thing more I must do to seal the deal with God, merit his blessing, secure my eternal future, and gain lasting acceptance?  Jesus debunks the young man’s misconceptions about goodness and being “good enough.”  And gives him the “one thing more” that roots out all thoughts of merit and exposes the idolatry of being good enough.  

But like all who trust in their own goodness, not God’s grace, the young man was “disheartened by [Jesus’] saying, [and] went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.”   His sadness was great.  The word ‘disheartened’ comes from the picture of a dark, overcast, stormy sky.  And the word translated ‘sorrowful’ means a grief fueled by regret.  But even deeper than his sorrow was his love for the idols of his goodness, his wealth and status.  As hateful and demanding and consuming as those idols where, he loved and trusted them more than he could love or trust a gracious Jesus.

What about you?  Are you good enough?  Have you done enough?  Are you enough?  We hate the question, but we keep asking it.   But Jesus looks at us and loves us and calls us to stop obsessing with goodness and to start trusting God’s grace. 

Join us as we examine Mark 10:17-31 and consider how Jesus challenges us to stop asking if we are good enough and instead ask who is.  We meet Sundays at 10:30 am on the square in Pottsville, Arkansas right next to historic Potts’ Inn for worship.  Get directions here or contact us for more info.  Or join our livestream on YouTube.