Andrew Ripp - Just Enough Lyrics
Lyrics
If I knew what I was gonna have to go through
To get to where I wanna go to
I don't know if I'd've come this far
Without you I couldn't tell a lie from the truth
And there's no way I could see
What I want is a love I need
You give me just enough
To keep me going when my hope is lost
Yeah not to lie alone
You always know
Whats too little or too much
You give me just enough
It's okay
Even when the blue skies black gray
Even to soon as too late
And everything I had is all washed away
You give me just enough
To keep me going when my hope is lost
Yeah not to lie alone
You always know
Whats too little or too much
You give me just enough
To keep me awake when I need a real love that's not fake
You give me just enough
Give me just enough
To keep me going when my hope is lost
Yeah not to lie alone
You always know
Whats too little or too much
You give me just enough
You give me just enough
Video
Andrew Ripp feat. Charlene Marie - Just Enough (AUDIO)
Meaning & Inspiration
Andrew Ripp's "Just Enough," released on January 21, 2014, as part of his "Simple" album, offers a profound reflection on divine sustenance and unwavering support through life's often bewildering journey. The song beautifully articulates a universal human experience of confronting unforeseen challenges and recognizing an essential, guiding presence that provides precisely what is needed, at the precise moment it is needed. It’s a compelling narrative of dependence, not out of weakness, but out of a deep understanding that true strength comes from acknowledging a source greater than oneself.
The opening lines of the song candidly admit a certain trepidation if the full scope of life's difficulties had been known from the outset, stating a genuine doubt about having come "this far" without this vital presence. This sentiment deeply resonates with the wisdom found in Proverbs 3:5-6, which encourages us to "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." It's a humble acknowledgment that our own foresight and capabilities are limited, and that a higher wisdom has been at play, directing steps and distinguishing truth from deception. Without this divine insight, the path would indeed be obscured, and the discernment required to navigate complex realities would be elusive.
The core of the song's message lies in the powerful declaration, "You give me just enough / To keep me going when my hope is lost." This isn't merely a casual observation but a profound testament to grace and provision. It speaks to a perfect, tailored supply, never overwhelming but always sufficient, especially in moments of despair. This mirrors the comforting assurance in 2 Corinthians 12:9, where the Lord tells Paul, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." It confirms that God doesn't always grant us everything we *think* we want, but infallibly provides everything we *truly* need, particularly when our own strength and optimism have waned. Similarly, Philippians 4:19 promises, "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus."
The discernment of this divine provider is further highlighted by the lines, "You always know / What's too little or too much / You give me just enough." This speaks to God's intimate knowledge of our inner landscape, a loving discernment that perfectly calibrates what is required for our spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being. It is a nuanced understanding that avoids the pitfalls of excess or deficiency, ensuring that the soul is neither burdened nor deprived. Psalm 103:14 affirms this exquisite understanding: "For he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust." This personal, precise care is a hallmark of a loving Heavenly Father who tends to His children with perfect wisdom.
The song then addresses the inevitability of adversity, acknowledging times "when the blue skies black gray" and "everything I had is all washed away." These powerful images evoke moments of profound loss and uncertainty, when life's foundations seem to crumble. Yet, even in such bleakness, the song's underlying message of "just enough" persists. This reflects the steadfast hope found in Lamentations 3:22-23, which declares, "Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." It is a reminder that even when visible blessings disappear, the unseen hand of God remains, offering comfort and strength. Psalm 46:1 further assures us, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble," providing stability when all else seems lost.
Finally, the song yearns for "a real love that's not fake," a plea that finds its ultimate answer in the authentic and unwavering love of God. This love stands in stark contrast to the fleeting and often superficial affections of the world. It’s the kind of love Jesus spoke of when He commanded His disciples in John 13:34-35, "A new command I give you: Love one one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." This divine love is not just a feeling, but a transformative force that sustains and guides. 1 John 4:7-8 explains, "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love." Andrew Ripp’s "Just Enough" serves as a beautiful musical testament to this enduring, perfectly measured, and profoundly authentic divine love, inspiring listeners to trust in God's perfect provision through every season of life.