God Will Supply All Our Needs...Not Our Wants

Have you ever pondered at length (or depth) the subject of need vs. want? Take, for instance, a scene at the dinner table. Junior "wants" something sweet to caress his tastebuds. In fact, if it were up to him, he would opt for dessert as his first course for the meal. However, since mother-dear is the chairlady of the dinner, she is the one who decides what is served for the courses to those at the table, including Junior. Mother has determined that all at the repast are in "need" of a good dose of vegetables for the betterment of their bodies. She knows what is required for strong bones and muscles and, therefore, serves the food necessary for such nourishment. Thus, mother addresses best the "need" for Junior instead of accommodating his "wants". It may be that if Junior eats his vegetables ("needs"), he may be eligible to get dessert ("wants"), though it is not a guarantee!

Let's move this analogy to the present Christmas marketplace, shall we? Retail establishments have reformulated their policies in recent years to make it absolutely sure that the customer acquire whatever he/she "wants" for Christmas. By lower prices through initial markdowns and offering tremendous discounts, the customer is enticed to get the item that Junior or other loved one totally desires. Then, on Christmas morning (or Christmas Eve), when the presents are opened, the person in question will be completely satisfied with said gift. However, if the unforeseen and unexpected disappointment should take place, the retailer is ready with the backup plan. The customer can happily return said un"want"-ed gift for refund or exchange so that the customer can find what is truly "want"-ed and purchase it. God forbid, the customer or the one for whom the gift is given should ever receive something they should "need" and not "want".

...yet there was a time not too very long ago when it wasn't that way at all.

Some who read this remember of days when Christmas gifts were items such as socks, shoes, coats, underwear and, maybe, some fruit and candy canes, not to say all of the above. You were blessed to get any of the above. The fruit and candy were treats, not even classified as "wants". The socks, shoes, etc. were definitely "needs" which were you pleased to get because they replaced items of the same kind that were completely worn out by that time of the year. As you opened your gifts and saw these things, you were very thankful that whoever gave the gift was looking out for you, had correctly understood that you needed them. In other words, there was a time when Christmas was more about "need" than "want". Why was that? Was it just because of the times and the economy of the day?

No. It was because we had a better understanding of the meaning of Christmas. God sent His Son to address the greatest "need" of all. Our sin separated us from Him. In order for His sheep to be able to drawn into His fold, the Father had to send His Son, the Shepherd, to die for them, to take away their sin, to break down the barrier of separation. Once accomplished, the Shepherd was raised from the dead to lead His Sheep into the fold by His Spirit so that they would be one forever, experiencing the love that He has for them that is beyond measure.

Christmas, then, is God taking care of our "need" in the grandest way. That little One in the manger is the Shepherd of Salvation, the One "who will save His people from their sins". Had He left us to our "wants", our desires, our lusts, we would be enjoying ourselves as we went along merrily into Hell. However, the Lord took the initiative and addressed our "need", overriding our "wants", calling us unto a salvation and a life that is far better than anything that we could ever desire or imagine.

So, this Christmas, don't let your "wants" outstrip your "needs". Indeed, let Christmas be a special time to meet the "needs" of others more so than your own "wants" in the spirit of Christ. In this way, we can show the world what Christmas was truly intended to be and to mean.

The Dangerous Life of a Disciple of Jesus

When we review the Gospel accounts of the life of Christ, we tend rightfully to focus on Jesus and His ministry, His works and His teachings. However, the Gospels also give us another perspective. They show us the reality of what it meant to be one of His disciples. They provide us the nitty gritty details of the life of faith and trust in Christ.

Take, for instance, the time that Jesus came walking on the water to the disciples. The waves were lashing the boat as well as the feet of Christ. Jesus paid them no mind. He paced on the surface of the briny sea as if he were on the plains somewhere in Judea. As He approached the vessel filled with His frightened followers, He called out to them. Peter responded that he wished to join his Master on the water. Peter's was a response of faith that led him out of a comfortable place to an adventure that he could share only with Christ. Even though his faith faltered when faced with difficult and perceived overwhelming circumstances, Peter was still accompanied by Jesus back to the safety of the ship. He still grew in His trust in Jesus.

This is the way of Biblical faith. It doesn't grow in the safe places. The qualities of false contentment, laziness and fearfulness thrive in the shade of the great oak where no wind or rain ever falls. However, because of these very things present in one's life, nothing of eternal value is ever accomplished. Biblical faith, on the other hand, is vibrant, full of life and adventure. It must be energized by friction and challenge. It grows by having to face the elements. Like the mighty tree lashed by wind and blinding rain, whose roots seem on the very edge of being torn from the ground at times by the storm, so is the one whose faith is tested by the Lord for the purpose of enhancement and greater use in His kingdom. He intends by the pruning for that person to be a source of blessing to the lives of so many others as an example of what His grace can do in the life of one willing to trust Him implicitly.

So, if you are being battered and torn by life's stresses, and, yet, you are still holding on to your faith in Christ, be thankful. Know that the Lord who has called you into the midst of this adventure is walking with you through it as well, hand in hand. Never will He let you go until the both of you safely reach the shore!