I was talking to a young couple on Skype when these words popped out of my mouth: “I have the gift of being needy.” A bewildered look appeared on their faces. “I didn’t know being needy was a gift,” he said. “Oh yes, it certainly is,” I replied. So this is my question to you today— “Do you see your sense of need being a valued gift? Or not so much?”
Even if you agree with me and see your neediness as a gift, I’ll bet you can remember many years when you didn’t want that particular gift. You tried making it on your own over and over again, only to hear a whisper in your head, “How’s that working for you?” Hmm. Not so well, right?
I chuckle when I think of God referring to us as sheep. Not terribly impressive. Not lions. Not eagles. Not bears. Who has a sheep for a mascot? A ram maybe, but I’ve never seen a sheep on anyone’s team jersey.
What if I really am a sheep, but I don’t want to be?
Then I don’t get the wise, loving help of the Shepherd. Divine guidance from Someone who knows you and loves you—how cool is that? But it starts with feeling vulnerable, recognizing our inability to see ahead, and becoming keenly aware of all our other limitations.
If you are to enjoy supernatural guidance, I think you’ll want to start with feeling your rather desperate need for Him. Then you’ll see why I consider my neediness a gift.
PATRICK LAI and his family have worked in SE Asia for over 37 years. His experience in doing business with Jesus has brought him to understand the meaning of work and worship in the marketplace. He started 14 businesses in four countries, six of which are still operating. Patrick and his wife, May, mentor and coach businesspeople working where there are few or no Christians. Check out Patrick’s latest book, Workship, now available in paperback and e-book.