What I want! (11-03-21)

A Reading

And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4: 19)

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. (Matthew 6:33)

A Thought

I am sure that I am not alone when I report that I have cravings which I struggle to manage.

The first is wine. After a challenging day of work or a successful day, I find myself impatiently seeking a glass of wine for compensation or reward. The second is chocolate. I simply cannot leave a bar of chocolate or tin of chocolates unfinished, regardless of who owns it.

Wine and chocolate easily identified themselves as wants to target during Lent. So I have ‘given them up’ for Lent. During the week, I look forward to Sundays when the ‘rules’ do not apply. However, remarkably, when Sunday arrives and I have the opportunity and choice, I now find that I have control over my cravings. I don’t want them with the same fervour.

Meanwhile, at my free NHS health check, Mel is telling me that I need to eat more oily fish and more vegetables and fruit. Regardless of whether I want them or not, this is what my body needs in order to remain healthy throughout my remaining years. She was not negotiating on her message, which was remarkably consistent with her message a few years ago.

Isn’t it reassuring to know that God provides for our needs rather than our wants. Our wants are fickle, transient and shallow, whereas our needs are consistent and sustaining. God’s knowledge about our inner well-being is much more extensive than our own understanding, which is manipulated by popular culture and temptation. God’s judgement is all that matters.

Isn’t it also reassuring that God is persistent in his attention to us. He doesn’t need to schedule a quarterly review date with Mark into his diary. He is always on the case, present, discerning and loving.

So thank you God and thank you Mel. From here, it’s over to me (again).

A Prayer

Thank you, heavenly Father, for your love and care for me.

Thank you that I can cast all my cares upon you,

and that you will provide whatever I need as a child in your family.

Amen