From Turtle to Butterfly

Have you ever thought about what you truly need? When – or maybe I should say IF – you thank God for providing your needs, what exactly do you thank Him for? Your house? Your vehicle? Your family? Your job? Your health? I would like to share with you something that happened to me six days ago because maybe it’s something you need to hear for the first time or be reminded of, again.

I was having my daily quiet time with Father and the new prayer journal I’ve been using since October has a place to list three things I am thankful for. Six days ago, it prompted me to thank Him for meeting my needs. So, I began to praise Him for meeting ALL my needs and, as I began to list three of those needs, I found I couldn’t write the first one that came to my mind. I started to write “warm house”, but I couldn’t. I could not list that as a need. Yes, it’s nice and yes, I am thankful for our warm house and yes, He definitely provided it; but, my mind went to the MANY out there who don’t have a warm house, yet they still love Him and He still provides their needs.

You see, He was teaching me the difference between TRUE needs and things that are simply nice to have. My mind began to wander….or should I say wonder….because, you see, my heart breaks for those who love and trust Him but don’t have a warm, dry place to stay. Somehow, I wonder if they feel bad for me being in a warm, dry home because I THINK it’s a need when, in reality, it’s a luxury and the people who don’t have it know what a TRUE NEED is and I don’t!

That morning, He made me realize I have a luxurious life and He began to give me a new appreciation and understanding of the difference between need and “nice to have”. He planted in me a new understanding of what my NEEDS truly are and, yes, He has met each and every one of my needs already. You see, my needs are the same as your needs. Yes, it’s true and He has also already provided them for you, too. Whether or not you have accepted them yet is something only you and He knows.

What are those needs? He provided our one TRUE NEED in the form of His Son, Jesus Christ of Nazareth, to be our Savior, to take the punishment for our sin so we could not only live with Him forever but so we can go before His throne room ANY time! The first need – Salvation – met. Have you accepted it yet?

The second need? “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27 ESV) Did you understand what He said there? He didn’t just say He was leaving us peace – He said He was leaving you HIS peace!!! His Peace is what we need to make it through this world no matter what our circumstances might be. Have you accepted His peace?

The third need? “The secret is simply this: Christ in you! Yes, Christ in you bringing with Him the hope of all glorious things to come.” (Colossians 1:27 J B Phillips translation) We have the hope of glory by His Presence in us! This Hope is what helps us make it through situations without falling apart, as the world would expect us to do. Do you have this Hope?

Maybe I don’t write as “eloquently” as others and maybe it doesn’t always come out the way I’d like, but all I know how to do is share what I feel He gives me to share in the only way I know how and that is to simply speak from my heart – my simple heart. I’m always happy to answer any questions you might have and, if I don’t know the answer, I’ll get someone to help me search the Word until we find it. If the answer isn’t in His Word, then all I can say is it is something we don’t need to know. I love each and every one of you that take the time to read my ‘ramblings’. I don’t know everything. I only know how He took this turtle and turned her into a butterfly!