Make a List

Security, attention, intimacy, having a purpose, hugs, feeling like I belong, feeling trusted...
What's on your list? What are the emotional needs in your life?


(I'm waiting. You really are supposed to be making a list right now...)



Recently I took a good long look at my list. Spent several weeks looking at it, in fact. And when it was done, I realized that no job, friend, or even man can meet my list perfectly all the time. Only a Perfect God can... and will. So, look at your list again. Who are you expecting to fill it? Who are you expecting to fill You?

Philippians 4:19 says, "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."

This verb, "to meet" means to finish - as in finish it so there is no more, to satisfy, to complete. Don't those words speak of 100%. It's not like doing laundry where (unless you're doing it naked) it's never done. He will take care of it. Period.

I love the word "needs" in Greek. Yes, it does mean your needs, what you require. But it also means what you want! Isn't that a sweet truth - that God gives us what we need, but He delights in giving us the little extras - our wants. Of course, He's always going to answer our wants wisely - and sometimes that might be a no. Or sometimes He will give us our wants even when He knows there are going to be some bad consequences. None the less, He knows. He knows what's on your list. And He knows what you feel silly about writing down.

And listen to this Greek word for "according to". It means "by any means, beyond measure". He's waiting to Wow you. The idea of glory in Scripture is that of having really heavy pockets full and overflowing with treasures. So this - "according to" is God digging in those pockets and pulling out one gift after another.

So, my friend. Make that list. But don't hand it to your husband. Don't hand it to your sister. Don't hand it to your friend. It belongs to the Lord. Let Him be the one to perfectly fulfill it. And if He uses your husband, sister or friend - than Glory be to Him. And if He uses the quietness of silent tears in a lonely night then Glory be to Him in that moment, too. He loves you. You belong to Him. He wants to meet your needs. He wants to fill you.