What is the Real Need Here?

Needs. We are all born with them. They follow us from birth to death. So it isn't a bad thing to need. Wants, those are different, and I admit it. I get my needs mixed up with my wants too often. These words are not synonymous. Jesus’ encounter with Martha in Luke 10:38-42 portrays her lack of knowing the difference. It says she was cumbered about with much serving. Cumbered means to be hampered or hindered or to have an obstacle in your way. Her serving the Lord in her home was not the problem. She had an obstacle. What was that? Well we know she just saw Mary sitting at Jesus feet listening and that  was a bone of contention. Jealousy and comparison can provide the stage for anxiety and accusation. Jesus new what she wanted but more important was what she needed and pointed it out in Mary. She had chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Now we assume Martha received this, but it doesn't tell us. What of us? Do we readily move aside our obstacles of living our life in Christ, or do we want what we want? Ps 37:4 “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Sometimes we get what we want and then realize it wasn't what we wanted at all. The Lord desires that our desires are a result of our delighting in Him. One needful thing, Jesus said…just one, to hear Him, trust Him and obey Him without being careful (worried ) or troubled. Perhaps a tall order, I know, but if we keep turning to Him, Jesus will never stop picking us up when we fall, never stop calling us His, and never stop being our hope. If we see Him as our greatest need, He will provide every other need.

Sparrows fly
He sees every one
"But they are birds and not as I"

But just suppose
they view us in return
And cry to God "we're not the same"

But with our eyes
we see how he provides
For every bird of flight in nature's way

Might be the songs they sing
Their marvel and their praise
How He provides with such as have no wings


Posted in fiveminutefriday  the prompt is need