What Do You Really Need?

It must be the holiday season. I’ve gotten the first of many “What Do They Need” calls from relatives. They want to know what the people I know a little bit better than they do “need” or “want” for Christmas. I find these calls difficult because I don’t usually have a good answer and I never know sizes or favorite colors. It is the season for trying to fill needs.

The big problem is that we don’t really know what we need, let alone anyone else. We will hustle around for the next month looking for the “best” gift for folks we care a lot about and those we just feel “obligated” to buy something for. On Christmas morning we will nervously watch the gifts being opened in the hope of seeing a genuine look of delight instead of the smile covering the “I don’t know what he was thinking” face. 

It’s a good time to examine what we need ourselves. Much of our gift buying and meal planning and decorating seeks to compensate for what we didn’t quite live up to during the year. We might buy a loved one something a little more special than usual because we acted like such a jerk the last time we were together. We may slave in the kitchen trying to make up for all the fast foods and left overs we served up during the year. We may run up our electric bill trying to show the neighbors just how jolly and cool we really are. We may well be working harder to fulfill our needs than the asserted needs of others. 

When Jesus met the Samaritan woman at the well, he was encountering someone much like us. This woman had been trying to fulfill her perceived need to be loved. Her “loose living” had put her on the outs with her village so she was forced to draw water in the heat of the day when no one else was around. Water was on her mind when Jesus offered her living water. With great love, the Savior was trying to show her what she really needed instead of what she thought she needed. Christ offered her the living water of the Holy Spirit – the only thing that would quench her spiritual and emotional thirst. 

Starting this week the stores will be filled with stuff that promises to provide love, acceptance and self-worth, but deep inside you know the stuff lies. What do  you really need? Do you need a hug? Do you need to hug someone you’ve pushed away for too long? Do you need to say you’re sorry?  Do you need just to spend some time with someone instead of shopping for them? The greatest gifts you can give this year don’t have to be wrapped and won’t require a sentimental card.

We all need to forgive and  be forgiven. We need to quench our thirst with living water. We need to start living for what’s important and stop wasting time and money on what isn’t. 

Admit what you really need and

Be blessed.

Nick