And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
Before I go to the grocery store, I have to come up with a list of what I need or I tend to add all sorts of unnecessary items in my cart as they attract my attention up and down the aisles. Before long my grocery bill is double what I intended to spend. When making my list, I carefully go through my pantry and my refrigerator, checking my supply of various staple items, looking to see if I have all the ingredients for what I plan to cook for the next few days. Hard as I try to stick with the list of what I truly need, I still invariably end up with things in my cart that are not on the list.
Separating what we need and what we want can be a difficult thing. We need food. water, air, and light to live. Many need to be around others and some feel a need to have time alone. Some need an opportunity to let out their creativity and others feel the need to be one with nature. The word ‘need’ is used much more frequently than for our actual needs. Some find that their wants quickly turn into needs in their minds. If you are moving into a new house, you may think you need a dishwasher or a microwave. These are items that are commonly thought of as staple household items, but they are wants, not needs. Now this is not a suggestion that anyone start throwing out their household appliances! This is more of a reality check on what our actual needs are.
God not only meets our needs but gives us blessing upon blessing throughout our lives. Those blessings can be in the form of having the ability to afford to add items you don’t really need in your shopping cart or having the time each day to indulge yourself in an activity you love. Counting your blessings can be a fulfilling spiritual discipline. I have personally found that the biggest blessings I receive come when I am not focusing on what I need or what I want, but on what I can share with others. We are not all given the same gifts to share. Some share of their time, some share of their talents. Some share of their bounty, some share simply because they see a need. No matter what you share, the blessing will be great. We have to recognize that difference between our own needs and wants sometimes before we can realize our ability to share and receive blessings.
May our needs be met and our cup overflow with the blessings so richly given by our Father in heaven.
Tommi Hamilton, Launch Team
