Am I...?

“Am I the son I think I am…

Am I the friend I think I am…

Am I the man I think I wanna be…?”

I Am – Train

We will all come upon a time when everything is shaken.  And it is during these violent tremors that ripple through the hot mess of our lives that what yesterday was not even remotely pondered today becomes the 3:00 in the morning question that robs us of our sleep…and our peace.

“Am I…?”

good enough…

rich enough…

strong enough…

happy enough…

loved enough…

“Am I…enough?”

It strikes me that all my “am I” questions end, either consciously or sub-consciously, with an “enough.”

So these questions, at their core, are the cry of those realizing they are empty, insufficient, lacking.

Muhammad Ali carved a place for himself in our history by shouting,

“I am the greatest!” 

And for a time, that was hard to deny.

When we flip the question into a statement, when “am I” becomes “I am,” we are making a declaration of identity. 

In John’s Gospel, Jesus makes that statement, “I am”, eight times.

I am the bread of life – John 6:35, 48

I am the light of the world – John 8:12, 9:5

Before Abraham was, I am – John 8:58

I am the door – John 10:9

I am the good shepherd – John 10:11

I am the resurrection and the life – John 11:25

I am the way, the truth, and the life – John 14:6

I am the true vine – John 15:1

When I find myself scared, doubting, and asking, “am I”…I have to honestly ask myself, “do I?”

Do I believe what Jesus said about Himself is true?

If it is, then the implications and impact are tremendous.

Every aspect of our very real, everyday lives would be impacted.

If true, this is a game-changer.

So let’s think about our “am I” questions.

Let’s also work off the premise that Jesus is exactly who He said He is.

Look at Jesus’ “I Am” statements and insert your name in the places Jesus uses “the.”

I am Jon’s bread of life.

I am Jon’s good shepherd.

I am Jon’s way, Jon’s truth, and Jon’s life.

Before Jon was, I am.

What difference does each of Jesus’ statements make in your circumstances,

Your career,

Your family,

Your marriage,

Your life

Fear will make you ask, “Am I enough?”

Jesus says, “I AM…”

…more than enough.

This was originally posted at Job 31 Ministries website.  

I am honored to be a part of this great ministry.  

Please check out their website at www.j31.org