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A NEEDY BUNDLE

Few of us are truly prepared for the challenges of parenthood when we meet our new babies. The first daunting realization comes when we see how utterly dependent they are on us. It is terrifying! If we fail them they will die without even knowing what they needed. Fortunately, our heavenly Father knows exactly how to meet us where we are.

Instead of being intimidated by our neediness, our Father loves the fact that we are completely dependent on Him. And He is even more thrilled when we are aware of it. “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs” (Matthew 5:3, NLT). Unfortunately, it usually takes us a while to realize how much we need our Father.

It is often comical when a baby tries to do things for himself. For example when a spoon full of pumpkin ends up in his hair instead of anywhere close to his mouth! The baby ends us being even more adored by everybody around, and his mother gently takes the spoon from him to help. I think we often cause the same reaction in the heavenly realm.

Imagine the “Ooh!”’s and “Aah!”’s among the angels when Jonah came up with his genius plan to run away from God! (Jonah 1). But God was not taken by surprise. In the same way that a baby’s mother already has a cloth ready to wipe away the mess, God met Jonah exactly where he was. “Now the Lord had arranged for a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was inside the fish for three days and three nights” (v. 17, NLT).

You see, there is nothing wrong with a baby trying to do things for himself. That is how he learns. The real mess happens when he refuses his mother’s help. Then, instead of only a little pumpkin in the hair, he ends up with bumps and bruises from fighting to keep the spoon. Or in Jonah’s case, almost drowning in a raging sea (Jonah 1:15).

Do you believe that God is always ready to meet you exactly where you need Him? How does it change your confidence to grow?

Let us live boldly, trusting God to meet us where we are. Let us please God by acknowledging our dependence on Him each day. “I know, Lord, that our lives are not our own. We are not able to plan our own course (Jeremiah 10:23, NLT)