I Have What I Need

Read |Psalm 23: 1; Psalm 42; Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8|

I receive a notification from the bank of my current balance and am invited to worry about my pending financial obligations and instead I whisper, "I have what I need." I labor in love without appreciation and am invited to self-pity and resentment and instead I whisper, "I have what I need."  And most times the utterance of this simple and profound truth is sufficient to guard my heart from the intrusion of the world. Packed in that simple phrase are reminders that God is good; good to me and; faithfully supplies all my needs. 

This week when confronted with the lie of lack I uttered the truth, "I have what I need." But, my heart refused to be settled because it wanted the chance to speak of its longing. And in the confrontation between the truth of God's faithful care over me and my longing, I whispered to God "I have what I need, yet my heart aches with longing."  I pleaded with Him to take away the source of my longing--counting it as the offshoot of ingratitude. He responded, "What if the longing is the offshoot of a most precious gift? What if the longing is what you experience when I gift you time?"

Beloved, what if longing is what we experience when God gifts us time-- the time to be strengthened so we can rightly hold the bounty He has already set apart for us. If you are filled with longing--longing for the crowning of God's promise, be encouraged. Acknowledge the longing and hold it right alongside your conviction that because God is your Shepherd, you have all you need. You can hold them both, when you see them rightly--when you see that God provides in ways unexpected. When you perceive the new thing He is doing in you, to make you promise ready. You have all you need.

Beloved, He has measured the duration of your waiting. He knows how long is sufficient. And He provides comfort for the longing--that is the offshoot of His splendid gift of time. He provides His presence. When the intensity of the longing tries to blind you to the gift, find relief in Jesus. Let Him satisfy you in the morning. Let Him satisfy you in the evening. Let Him satisfy you at night. Let your soul be comforted by Him.

Dear Heavenly Father, help us to be transparent with you about our longing. Help us to acknowledge its weight, and yet be thankful for the gift from which it springs. Help us to plunge into your grace and allow ourselves to be lavished by your presence in the waiting--and always. In Jesus' name, amen.