Today I listened to a great sermon on wants, needs and being content. It really got me to thinking about my life, my choices and where I'm presently at. Pastor Randall pointed me to several scriptures that I have read more times than I can count and in a nutshell stated that God is the source of ALL our needs. My conclusion to that statement is that, He will meet those needs IF we seek His Kingdom first. I think those of us who are Christians know this to be true. Yet so many times we fall away from what we know in our hearts.
Philippians 4:11-13 (NIV)
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
I'll be honest with you. Today was the first time I opened my Bible in over 2 months and it was the first time I heard a sermon in almost 3 months. It doesn't mean that because I have slacked off that I'm not a Christian, it just means I'm human and I have fallen prey to the business of life as most of us do. The good thing is that God continually offers his grace and always finds a way to gently nudge us back where we need to be.
What exactly drew me to Cross Point Community Church's website this morning I'm really not sure. It's a church I attend several times a year. Not because I don't like it, rather I would love to go there regularly. But it is a 2+ hour drive from my town so I only get to visit it when I happen to be spending a weekend at my sisters house. Anywho... I went to their site and clicked on the "Messages" tab and stumbled upon the "I Need" series. To tell you the truth, I'm thankful I did. Isn't it funny how when you've been away from church for sometime and then you decide to visit or listen to a sermon that it is ALWAYS just what you need to hear at that moment in your life? Well, I don't know if it's true for you but more times than I can count it has been true for me.
Hebrews 4:16 (NIV)
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
After listening to I Need... the Truth I have realized two things:
- While we want more money so that we can get out of debt, I realize that the jobs we have provide enough money to cover our expenses and we are not struggling; therefore we have what we need.
- While we want to get out from under the house we are in (because of the circumstances that surround it) and get a new one, we realize that what we have suits us just fine. It provides a roof over our head, it's plenty big for the two of us, there are no holes in the ceiling, walls or floor and while it may not be what we want for our life right now, it provides all that we need and we have learned to be content.
I'm sure if I took more time to think on this before writing this post I would have come up with a few more things but as I look back over the last few years I would have to say these have remained the top two. And I think to have what you need in these two areas is truly a blessing. Especially when you reflect upon our society today and see how many people are jobless, homeless or both.
Thankfully I have never really been one to live outside my means. I've never felt the need to have the trendiest clothes in my closet or the dopest shoes on my feet. And I certainly don't have the urgency to waste my hard earned money and hours of my time standing in line just to get a phone that has a few more features than the one I have now when the one I have now still works perfectly fine. Ok that one may have been more of a rant LOL I think you know where I'm going though. Why do we have to always want the top of the line things when in reality what is considered average or basic is often more than enough to meet our needs?
Matthew 6:8b
...for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
I encourage you to take some time today and have a look at your life. Realize that there is a difference between want and need, then ask yourself what it means to be content. It all comes down to realizing one thing: prayer is the vehicle to managing your needs. Don't allow money to become your god; instead ask God to be your God and step into the future he has waiting for you.
Love y'all, go forth and be blessed! ~Brandy
