By Dusty (Reflections on the Life of a Christian)
We want and ask for the moon. We want perfect families, great jobs, fancy houses, sweet cars, and so much more. We want to go through life problem free, never encountering trials or hardships.
We want. We want. We want.
But what we want is not necessarily what we need. And should we have those things we 'wanted', often we find the happiness associated with them is short lived and quickly replaced with more wants.
Unfortunately some never learn that lesson and spend their entire lives chasing after their earthly material desires. They go from one dream to the next constantly seeking that will satisfy their want and fill their life with joy.
God knows that complete joy does not and will not come through earthly possessions and status. He knows exactly what we need. He knows that which is best for us. He promises to meet our need:
"So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6:31-34)
"Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?" (Luke 12:22-25)
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27)
The problem often comes though when we mistake our wants for what we really need.
We Say: "I want."
God Says: "But I know what you really need."
God knows that all of these earthly things are going to pass away. He knows wealth and fame does not satisfy. He knows it most often pushes a person away from following Him. He knows it is only through our dependence upon Him that we will be able to experience true, lasting joy.
So He tells us:
Stop worrying and focusing on what you 'need' to make it in this life. I am the source of all you need for this life and eternity. Pour all of your desire, all of your wants, and all of your needs into seeking after me... And, I will take care of you. Your satisfaction will be found in me. I will meet your true need.
So, we must ask ourselves:
Will we trust Him with it? Will we do as He says? Will we replace all of our earthly wants with a steadfast desire for Him? Will we seek after Him first, and allow Him to meet our need?
Dusty Rayburn is a lay minister and fellow blogger. He lives in Locust Fork, Alabama, has been married six years and has one amazing daughter. In his words: "I am a Christian. I am not perfect, nor do I imagine I ever will be. My God is perfect. I am forgiven. I am loved. I am His." You can find him on Twitter and at Reflections on the Life of a Christian.