Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“Moreover, wealth is treacherous; the arrogant do not endure. They open their throats wide as Sheol; like Death they never have enough.”
NL Daily Devotion for Wednesday, November 30, 2022
by R. M. Fergus, Clergy Stuff
Like Death they never have enough. Wow. In my recovery experience, we talk a lot about the concept of “enough.” When I was in my disease, I could never get it—enough. And underneath any and all addictive and related negative behavior was a fear of not having enough or a fear of not being enough. I can take absolutely any instance of being angry or mean or what-have-you, and if I dig down a little, I will find that enoughness is what’s at stake.
Through working my programs, I learn, little by little, what “enough” is. I trust, more and more, that I will have all that I need and plenty of what I want. I believe, more and more, that I am a good (if flawed) person who is beloved by God and worthy of love, and that I have a great deal to offer the world. I recognize, bit by bit, that accepting what is enough leads to a life of serenity and joy being of love and service to God and neighbor.
Are there still times I want to “open my throat as wide as Sheol” in an attempt to get more? Oh, sure. But those attempts will always end badly for me, and sooner or later I circle back around to acceptance of what is and find contentment in my enoughness.
Are there things I just wish I had more of? Are there ways I wish I was more?