Need is actually OK.
I don’t know about you, but I’ve observed there can be a stigma about need. If you find yourself without, you are somewhat disadvantaged. You’re left to feel like something imperative is missing, and you’ll never be whole until it’s found.
What if I said that need was needed? That wanting was welcome? That this sense of lacking and inadequacy was not only normal, not only healthy, but something to confidently embrace?
Hold that thought…
Pastor Brendan shared a key message at the start of the year that really spoke to me, and from discussions I’ve had since, many others too. He talked about the secret to facing every circumstance and situation in life: contentment. (Brilliant, check it out here if you haven’t!)
So, what’s this got to do with need? Maybe you’ve thought that need and contentment are mutually exclusive states. Surely, you can’t be content if you have need.
Look at Paul’s life. I think in this verse he tells us both of his contentment and his need, working and existing together.
Philippians 4:13 (AMP)
I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfil His purpose – I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace].
Paul learned contentment because his need was solely and squarely in Christ. He had need. That need was for Christ, and Christ alone.
This is the true need that is needed, for each of us.
I’ve been learning again to accept my utter need for Christ. That’s not easy for someone like me, who likes to think my own sufficiency goes alright! It’s a messy, humbling and beautiful journey.
I’ve come to the place where I just know, I so need Jesus. I really do.
I need Jesus because His strength is better than mine.
I need Jesus because I make plenty of mistakes and His grace is there to cover and carry me.
I need Jesus because I’ve got nothing, yet He’s got me.