Sunday, September 19, 2010

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

What We Need.

I love finding passages I've read before, but never truly studied. Here is the one I found tonight:

"I'm glad in God, far happier than you would ever guess - happy that you're again showing such strong concern for me. Not that you ever quit praying and thinking about me. You just had no chance to show it. Actually, I don't have a sense of needing anything personally. I've learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. I don't mean that your help didn't mean alot to me -- It did! It was a beautiful thing that you came alongside me in my troubles." Philippians 4:10-14

Notice that Paul wasn't in need. He didn't need the encouragement, concern, or love that was given to him. But he gladly accepted it, because it is uplifting to know that someone cares for us and is there to cheer us on. That despite distance, time, and isolation, the ones we love are there to show us Christs neverending love. Paul made it clear that the ONLY thing he needed is God. He could maintain happiness whether full or hungry, hands full or empty, with a little or alot. His happiness isn't dependant on a person, relationship, place, or ideal situation. But Paul admits that the help meant so much to him, that it was a beautiful thing for someone to come alongside him and be there for him. I believe that we can take this as an application to our own lives.

We don't need anything but the unconditional love from our Savior. That's it. We need nothing more than that. Now, that doesn't mean we cant have friends or become dependant on someone in some form or another. It's perfectly fine to build relationships, make friends, or like the situations we are in. (Don't forget that God gave Adam the gift of Eve to keep him from being lonely.) Man was not meant to wander this earth alone. I believe God knew that Paul was self-relient and that he didn't need anyone in his life to be happy, but God also knows the importance of a spiritual community around us. Paul was doing everything right in being content in the love that God supplied but God blessed him anyway. Sometimes just when we think we're fine the way we are, God will throw a blessing out there. It's another reminder that God is constantly thinking of us, giving us everything we could ever want or need. In your life, be content in the Lord our God. But always welcome the kindness, love, and support of the people who truly care for you. Those are the blessings God has given us!