Needed
I am not the kind of person who needs to be center-stage, carried around on shoulders, and given a standing ovation. Quite the opposite - the only time I like to be in the spotlight is if I put myself there (usually for some other purpose).
BUT…
I do love to feel like I’m needed. I love to feel as though my presence on Earth is noted and necessary - that my life matters and I have been a “good and faithful servant” with the talents God has given me. I want people to need me in some way, and by me fulfilling their need they see God reflected in my life and He is glorified through my actions.
Of course, as I just stated, I want this done quietly - not in the spotlight. You know…the way Jesus did.
BUT (again)…
I also have a selfish need for my husband to constantly see and acknowledge how lost he would be without me, how much of a Golden Helpmate I am (far better than the Proverbs 31 woman, Ruth, Mary, or any other pedestalled woman of the Bible), how blessed he is to have me, and let’s not forget all the “My wife is better than your wife” bragging I should “accidentally” overhear regularly so I can shyly blush and demur.
Alas - God in His wisdom (I say HIS because I don’t get it) gave me a husband who does the opposite - he humbles me. Regularly and repeatedly.
My husband once told me in response to my nagging him to verbalize what he thought my ministry/use to him was that I am a hole-filler. That’s right - a Hole-Filler. The first item that comes to mind when I think about what goes into a hole to fill it up is dirt. Wow – thanks, babe. I’m dirt.
For a long time, that’s exactly what I thought, and I even made some snarky comments to the effect of, “I guess THAT’S not a hole I need to fill,” and “I’ll just keep to my lane of filling up holes.” None of which were helpful, but all of which reflected my understanding of the way he saw me as being unworthy to stand at his side in ministry, an after-thought, and unnecessary. After all - anyone can fill a hole, right?
I clearly have to work on my perspective.
In reading the Bible in preparation for this blog (which was actually going to go in a different direction), I found myself in Genesis reading about the creation of Adam and Eve (Genesis 2:4-25), and I read about God taking a rib from Adam and forming Eve.
God opened my eyes to this:
God took a rib from Adam. God left a HOLE in Adam. Eve FILLS that hole.
My husband called me a Hole-Filler, and I saw it as an insult. Perhaps it was, or at the very least a thoughtless description. But as Joseph said in Genesis 50:20, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”
Or maybe, my husband meant it just like that. No intention to harm, but a very honest reveal of how, and how much, I am NEEDED.
So are you! You are needed by your family, friends, and community.
However, you are NOT needed by God.
Ouch! I know that hurts! I just spent how many lines leading up to BEING needed? Sorry I had to do that to you, reader, but I had to take you through the journey I just went on myself.
After pumping myself back up with the Godly wisdom of how much I AM needed by those who benefit from my hole-filling expertise, God let the air out of my balloon.
I was watching some video (full transparency - it was probably on TikTok. Please don’t stop reading our blog!), and the person made the comment that God does not need us.
WHAAAAAAATTTTTTT?
In 1 Corinthians 1:27, it says, “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.”
Yes, He did. I thought I was so wise to have figured it out, and then God showed me I was a fool.
Contrary to what we may believe, God is not sitting around wringing His hands waiting for us to act. He never sweats in worry wondering what He’s going to do if Erica doesn’t start that Women’s Bible Study. He never throws up in the toilet because of anxiety over wondering what Lexi would do in this situation and hoping she’ll tell Him. He doesn’t spend all night pacing the floor waiting for Nikki to decide because the fate of the world depends on it!
On the contrary, “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place,” (Esther 4:14a).
God does not NEED us. He spoke existence into existence! He is I AM. Jesus took on the sins of all mankind to restore the rift between us and God. God has a plan! If we don’t want to be a part of that plan, the plan doesn’t stop - He’ll simply allow someone who IS willing to take our spot.
But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. (Psalm 33:11).
God knows exactly what He’s doing, and He’s in complete control!
God doesn’t NEED us. But He does WANT us.
What a humbling truth. God, who can do ALL the things, actually wants us to be a part of His plan.
We are the children of God - chosen by Him to be a part of Him.
Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. (John 1:12)
Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. (Romans 8:17)
We share in the legacy of Christ with the opportunity, by right, to follow in His footsteps. To be a chosen participant in God’s plan for His glory.
I urge you - in whatever way you’re NEEDED by others - to WANT to use your talents to glorify God as you freely devote yourself to the place He WANTS you in His plan.
I guarantee you - it is worth the adventure!
AMEN
