Scripture: Romans 8:26-28

How certain are you that you know what you need?

As the assignment and first call process draw closer for me, I have been asked several times the kind of congregation I would want to serve and lead. In one sense, I have felt able to answer, but the more I reflect on it, the more uncertain I become. The question does not create confusion within me but reveals to me how little I truly know about what I need.

There are so many internal factors that sway our beliefs about what we need: pride in our ourselves, envy of others, the baggage we carry from our past, and a fear of the future to name a few. Sin has marred our ability to see clearly what we truly need.

The promise of the Gospel is that we have a God who cares so much for us that not only does God know what we need, He is constantly at work to provide. When we don’t know how to pray, the Spirit prays on our behalf. Jesus is at the right hand of the Father advocating on our behalf.

Of course, needs and wants are not the same things. You may, at times, disagree wth God about what you think you need. In those moments, remember that sin presents you with a flawed vision of yourself, but God sees you clearly, loves you fully, and promises to provide for you abundantly all that you truly need.

What is it that you think you need from God? Are you ready to set that aside and trust what He will give you?