Philippians 4:19 “God will give you all you have need of from the wealth of his glory in Christ Jesus.”
As we approach Christmas, it is great to hear the old carols and songs of the season. The other day, one song came to mind when I studied this verse: “All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth.” It sounds like such a silly song, but I caught myself singing along.
Another day, Lynnette asked what I needed for Christmas. “Where’s the paper to write my list?” I said. There are so many new things on the market! Yet the paper was blank for a long time as I considered what I “needed” for Christmas.
Over the years, the Lord has blessed me with so much, yet I began listing “stuff” that I thought I needed to keep up with today’s demands. But once I reflected on the partially completed list, I crumpled up the paper and threw it away. None of it was a need, merely “wants.”
Experience has shown me that if the Lord had given me everything I ever wanted, I would have made terrible mistakes and forgotten who was really responsible for the increase in my life. These experiences extended from relationship issues to financial decisions that failed.
When we look forward to this Christmas, we can all take a look at our needs versus our wants, and realize that it is because of the love that the Lord has for each one of us that our needs will be filled.
The bonus is that He also gives us many of our wants. If we concentrate less on what needs the Lord will give us then we can spend time on giving others their wants.
Things like friendship, time with friends and family, peace in our lives, joy in our children, and letting others see Christ through us.
Now thats a list I can fill up quickly. How about you?
