Enough by Dr. Virgil Fry, Executive Director, Lifeline Chaplaincy

Enough

Jesus assembled the “original 12”, and pointed to a world hungry to hear good news.
Then he gave them these unorthodox marching orders:

“Don’t think you have to put on a fund-raising campaign before you start.
You don’t need a lot of equipment.
You are the equipment.” (from Eugene Peterson’s ‘The Message’ Matthew 10)

A different paraphrase might read:
Don’t obsess over funds, and don’t overpack.
Fear not, doors will open.
You have what you need, for with me, you are equipped.

In my own spiritual journey, I have learned and re-learned this truth.
I’ve learned that I am, like the undereducated, diamonds-in-the-rough famous 12, capable of being salt and light, capable of bringing encouragement to the overwhelmingly discouraged.
All because I am in God’s transforming presence.

And that is enough.

It’s a theological spin on an old saying: With God’s help, just be yourself.

In my early days of learning pastoral care skills with those who were bruised and hurting,
I was taught to be present, to be caring, to be available.
(This was another way of saying that “I am the equipment.”)
When I polled advisers for specific words to say in difficult situations, I was told,
“Go, not with quick answers to the unanswerable questions,
but with open hands and an open heart.”

How the newly appointed apostle must have inwardly queried:
“Where’s the sales pitch?
What are the exact words I’m supposed to use to convey a message of hope?
Don’t we need to practice this on each other first?”

So now I think of people who come to me, knowing my profession as a hospital chaplain, asking for a crash course in how to do crisis ministry…
hoping I’ll provide them a computerized check-list of everything one is to do to
connect deeply and spiritually with others.

Instead, I think I’ll simply point them back to these profoundly
simple marching orders from Jesus:
Go, just be yourself, trust Me, and always remember you are the equipment.
Spread the message of the peaceable kingdom.
Tell others that God is here and now—within each of us, not out there for a select few.

And that is enough.

—Virgil Fry

RESOURCES
		Enough Jesus assembled the “original 12”, and pointed to a world hungry to hear good news. Then he gave them these unorthodox marching orders: “Don’t think you have to put on a fund-raising campaign before you start. You don’t need a lot of equipment. You are the equipment.” (from Eugene Peterson’s ‘The Message’ Matthew 10) A different paraphrase might read: Don’t obsess over funds, and don’t overpack. Fear not, doors will open. You have what you need, for with me, you are equipped. In my own spiritual journey, I have learned and re-learned this truth. I’ve learned that I am, like the undereducated, diamonds-in-the-rough famous 12, capable of being salt and light, capable of bringing encouragement to the overwhelmingly discouraged. All because I am in God’s transforming presence. And that is enough. It’s a theological spin on an old saying: With God’s help, just be yourself. In my early days of learning pastoral care skills with those who were bruised and hurting, I was taught to be present, to be caring, to be available. (This was another way of saying that “I am the equipment.”) When I polled advisers for specific words to say in difficult situations, I was told, “Go, not with quick answers to the unanswerable questions, but with open hands and an open heart.” How the newly appointed apostle must have inwardly queried: “Where’s the sales pitch? What are the exact words I’m supposed to use to convey a message of hope? Don’t we need to practice this on each other first?” So now I think of people who come to me, knowing my profession as a hospital chaplain, asking for a crash course in how to do crisis ministry… hoping I’ll provide them a computerized check-list of everything one is to do to connect deeply and spiritually with others. Instead, I think I’ll simply point them back to these profoundly simple marching orders from Jesus: Go, just be yourself, trust Me, and always remember you are the equipment. Spread the message of the peaceable kingdom. Tell others that God is here and now—within each of us, not out there for a select few. And that is enough. —Virgil Fry