Learning to Receive What He Offers

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. John 14:27 NASB

On the very night that Jesus was to be betrayed and eventually crucified He left His disciples with the assurance of His Spirit and His peace. Troubled and fearful hearts were apparent, but it is not condemnation I sense in His words to them. He has the presence of a mother holding a frightened child close and speaking words of comfort. He knew His words that night would shake up their world and He was telling them of the gifts He had for them to receive.

The Christian life is meant to be lived out in daily relationship with God. He has much to give us if we will but open our hearts to receive it. In addition to peace, He offers us countless things such as love, joy, satisfaction, confidence, definition of who we are, purpose, nurturing, comfort, strength, and direction. Who in this world isn’t looking for those very things? But He wants us to know they are different from the duplications the world attempts to give us and we attempt to receive from them.

I remember being somewhat confused when I realized my needs were legitimate and God-given but where I sought to get the needs met was actually hurting me. There is not a thing I look for from people that God is not offering to give me. So I must do some comparisons. What I receive from people is usually temporary, incomplete, and shallow. While their words and actions can certainly make me feel good for a while they cannot make a lasting change in me. What I crave and what they are able to give are proportionately worlds apart. But God’s gifts are different. He wants to meet my needs on a deeper level and the work He does is lasting. He wants to be my ever-available Source.

So as my needs surface, may I take them to Him and experience His ability to meet every one of them. Will He still use people in my life? Absolutely! But I must see them as the faucet while He is the main source of Living Water.

Father, drinking from the broken cisterns has left me thirsty. Only You truly know my needs and are able to satisfy the longings of my heart. Amen.