What do you really need?

Needs vs. Wants – try explaining that one to your kids! So often they beg for something they need, when in actuality what they are asking for is something they could live without. What they want is not a basic need. Mankind has been created with certain basic needs – food, water, air, and shelter to survive. God created our world to provide all the basic needs of mankind and animals as we walk the face of the earth. He also grants us so many blessings. God Himself does not need anything. Paul so clearly describes God and His role in the lives of man in his address to the men of Athens in Acts 17:24-28a.

“The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for “‘In him we live and move and have our being’.”

God created all things; therefore, all things belong to Him. He has every right to rule over them and is actively involved in the affairs of mankind. God has revealed Himself to all mankind through His works of creation and in sustaining this world. God alone is able to do this, and no one compares to Him. As Paul stated, God does not need a thing, but He gives us everything.

God gave us this beautiful world. He oversees the workings of His creation each moment. He interacts with the world and though He exists outside of time and space, He is near each one of us. He determines our lives and has a fixed plan that brings about our good. The beauty of all of this is He doesn’t need us, but He wants us. Because He is our Creator, planted in each one of us is a desire to know and seek Him. Man’s eyes are blinded to the Creator and often man does not acknowledge God for who He is. Mankind does not acknowledge they are because of Him.

God is actually not far from each of us. God pursues and desires a relationship with humans. He opens the eyes of the blind, so sinners will feel their way toward Him and find Him. God is right there. He is close to each one of us if we will just open our eyes to see Him.

My favorite part of Paul’s address are the words “perhaps feel their way toward him and find him.” Wow, as we seek the Creator of the Universe, we can feel our way toward Him and FIND HIM! What a privilege it is to know God! We are created in His likeness. As you get to know God, you truly know who you are and who He created you to be. When you allow this to grab ahold of your mind and your heart, you can firmly trust His plan for you and know all things taking place in your life are definitely for your good. You have all you need, because you have Him.

In His Love,

Susan