Why So Needy?
So often when you read the Beacon People blog it may seem as if my content has very little to do with finding purpose in life, which is the mission of Beacon People, and much to do with seeing God in a new way. As you have read past posts you may have found that this seems to be true.
So here’s the deal…
God, our Creator, designed each of us with unique and individual purposes. In getting to know Him better we will find ourselves and the purpose for which He created us. Your true purpose is not found in a pursuit but it is found in your Purpose-Giver.
So, this blog is about a labradoodle, but, not really. It’s a little analogy that, I hope, will give you eyes to see God, your Creator, in a new way.
Why So Needy?
I sit in my morning chair drinking my coffee. The early light peeks through the windows as a new day begins. What will it hold? I’m learning to see God in the mundane, the common and ordinary moments. This ordinary morning, God speaks to me again.
A number of months back, I wrote a blog post about my 100 pound mound of curly, yellow fur named Nate. And today, I learn more lessons from him about the rich relationship my heavenly Father offers me.
Nate is 11; this makes me sad. He is wonderfully healthy, but I know his time with our family is drawing to an end. I had so hoped he would live until our last child left home and now that our nest is empty, Nate’s exit will be a little easier. I remember the movie My Dog Skip, when the family dog lay on the boy’s bed after he went to college. A gray band of hair covered his snout, he was tired, and life had been good. It brings a tear to my eye every time I think of this scene.
So goes the life of Nate these days. He sleeps most of the time, walks a little more slowly, and I can tell by the tired look in his eyes that he feels like he’s 77-years-old. Man, I wish we could clone him!
Recently I’ve noticed a new little habit of Nate’s. As he lies sleeping on the floor nearby, there are moments he shifts and wakes with a stretch or a yawn. Before going back to napping, he picks his head up, looks around the room, makes eye contact with me, then plops his large head back on the floor with a thud. It’s as if he’s saying, “She’s still here, I can rest.” Yes, I am Nate’s alpha human, not because I’m more lovable, but because I’m the one who takes care of his needs. I feed and water him daily. I groom him. I walk him. I taught him his tricks and I brush him. He knows, after 11 years, that I am no doubt concerned for his well-being and that I love him. I’ve made sacrifices for him and even when he frustrates me, I’ll still lovingly pat him and receive him back into my good graces.
This unusually warm February morning as I sat reading and drinking coffee, he was snoring rhythmically, his big belly going up and down. When he was awakened by a truck passing by, he did it again. He picked up his head, made eye contact with me, then plopped his head back down and fell once again into a deep sleep. I felt as if God was saying to me, “Anna, you are so needy, just like Nate. Look around and find me in your presence. After being confident that I am near, you can rest.”
He cares deeply for me. He provides for me. He walks with me through my days, the highs and lows, the struggles and victories. After 53 years of never failing me, I can confidently say that God cares for me more than anyone else. He is my Alpha (beginning) and will be my Omega (end).
Consider my simple analogy of Nate. Ask God to show Himself to you in a new way today.
He longs for you to see Him as He really is. The first step to intimacy with God is to not just realize your neediness, but to humbly reach out to Him as your Savior. Acknowledge full dependence on Him and expect that He will speak personally and directly to you.
He’s still here. You can rest.
Be still, and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10
In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8
