During our podcast on the BE-Attitudes, one of the questions posed is “What is the ONE thing you don’t have that you think will make your life better?”
Is it 5 million dollars?
Is it a particular relationship?
Is it having your health restored?
If you had asked me that question right after my divorce and before I was interested in giving my heart wholly to God, I would have probably said, “a husband who really loves me.” Years before that, when I was living what I call “check-the-box Christianity,” I may have said, “millions of dollars so I don’t have to worry about money and can go all over the world giving to missions.” But the problem with both of these answers is that, while on the surface they may seem like legitimate “Christian” wishes, neither are guaranteed to last. Even if they did last, neither of these “one things” is enough to sustain a life of joy.
People fall out of love with God or die. Money often changes us and—it runs out. Furthermore, our soul would never be satisfied for long—with either.
My friend, if this question is answered with ANYTHING that can be lost—please consider there is only one thing we ALL need most! It is Jesus. But we don’t naturally desire Him the most, and that’s why we must learn to have His attitudes for life which He taught us in the BE-Attitudes. For example, when we are “poor in spirit,” He is our greatest need. We depend upon Him 100% of the time—for everything. He becomes that one thing that makes our life better all the time. He becomes our greatest desire. When He is our complete center, we know that no amount of resources and no person can take His place.
Jesus ALWAYS makes our life better. He is our foundation of truth; He shows us the way; He IS love; and He gives us life. Is there anything more important? He said:
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
John 14:6
Jesus is the only source that will NEVER fail. In Him, we have all we need. He said, if we seek Him FIRST—He will supply ALL our other needs:
“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek FIRST the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and ALL these things shall be added to you.”
Matthew 6:31-33
When our greatest need is to be in the presence of Jesus—He supplies our need for health, resources, and relationships. If we are honest, we know that we struggle with our desires. Many times, I pray and ask God to help me desire Him more because while my born again soul desires Him—my flesh wants what it wants—and it’s not HIM. Our pride is tricky. Our dark enemies masquerade as light—convincing us to desire things or relationships (even for the purpose of ministry) more than we desire Jesus (who should be the center of our ministry.)
When we understand the BEST answer to this question is “Jesus,” then we direct our greatest passion and energy to making Him our center instead of working so hard to accomplish lesser goals. God has all the other stuff worked out. When we know God well enough to know He can handle everything else…our life is magnificent. It’s never made less by circumstances. Also—desiring God more than we desire anything else gives us unparalleled confidence! The Bible says:
“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’”
Hebrews 13:5-6
