November 4, 2006
Is it a Need or a Desire?
Romans 8:32
In the fourth chapter of Philippians, Paul declares that God will “supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (v. 19). When we read that passage and apply it to our daily lives, we must be careful to interpret it correctly. For that to happen, we must understand the difference between “needs” and “desires.”
A need is something that is essential for us to develop into who God wants us to be or to accomplish the things He calls us to do. On the other hand, a desire is something we think will bring enjoyment to our lives. The key word here is “enjoyment.” It describes a temporary pleasure. We tend to want things that will bring us happiness for a season and then fade away. It’s important to note there’s nothing wrong with a desire, as long as it is within the will of God and is an outflow of a Spirit-filled life.
Our wonderful, adoring heavenly Father loves to shower His grace upon us (Matthew 7:11). However— and this is critical—we must remember that God never promises to supply all of our desires. He surely provides many of them, but only at His discretion and for His own glory. So, your inability to acquire a large-screen television, for example, is certainly no indicator that God is unfaithful!
What do you need in order to become the person God has called you to be? What do you desire that will help you gain more enjoyment in life? Make a list of these things, and make both categories a regular part of your prayer life.
Reflection
How true this is! God really has been faithfully meeting the needs of our family right here in Werribee, Melbourne. Here's a sampling of what He has blessed us with:
- Helping us through the maze of paperwork for getting established as new migrants
- A brand new affordable rental home near the town centre and amenities, which has lots of space for our child and our dog and a neat open plan layout that makes upkeep easy
- A 14 y.o. car that gets us around
- Our supportive family back home: CA's brother, the latter's girlfriend, and his sis-in-law, who help us collect and go through our snail mail, advise on our dealings with the govt agencies back home, and track the rental proceeds from our flat; my aunt who texts us regularly to find out how we are and who will be visiting at the end of the month
- A church whose hospitality amazes and touches us and where we hope to serve
- Internet access and lots of magazines and store catalogues that help us make informed buying decisions
- Warm, hospitable locals who accept us as one of the community and make us feel welcome
- Friends of friends who extend our network here and offer tips on how to make the transition painless
- My cousins here who provide kinship, support and a sense of rootedness
- A library that supplies us with regular nourishment for our minds
In short, we have a roof over our heads, clothes to wear, a car to get around in, food on the table everyday. What was it St Paul said? "If we have food and clothing, we shall be content with these"? And about learning how to abase and how to abound.
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