All of us have had situations in our lives where we have deemed a certain person to be needy. We might use terms like “high maintenance,” or call a needy girl a ‘princess.” When we think of neediness like this, we consider it in a negative light. Either we don’t like to be put out or someone really is just that needy that they are a constant source of requests and a consistent drain on time. So…. how can someone say that it is good to be needy?
If we are honest, we will understand that every single person in the world is needy. Truly needy people are those who have no ability of their own to solve their problem. Truly needy people are those who are also able to evaluate what is ultimately a true need. In his book, When People are Big and God is Small, Ed Welch describes the situation in which so many people misinterpret our true needs. We categorize our needs into emotional, relational, physical, and spiritual baskets. At the end of the day, when our needs become greater than God, we are making people big and God small. Man’s greatest and ultimate need is reconciliation with our Creator through Jesus Christ and His work on the cross.
Does God look at neediness in the same way as most humans do? Absolutely not. God actually desires for us to be needy. He calls us to come. He desires that we are not only reliant upon Him but in desperate need for Him every day. Often when needy people come to us for help, they may come with a little embarrassment and concern. God does not tell us to come to Him this way. In every instance we are to know that God is eager, willing and able to hear our needs in Him and answer in the best way possible according to our good as He conforms us to His image.
Let’s take note from the author of Hebrews in how we are invited to approach God as His people in complete and utter need of Him.
1. Our need is plain to God. He sees us like nobody else does and everything about us is already exposed to Him.
Hebrews 4:13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
2. Our need is not only plain to God but intimately known by God.
Hebrews 4:14-15A Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses,
3. Our need is not only plain, and intimately known, but Christ has overcome what we could not. He has resisted what was too much for us.
Hebrews 4:15B but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
4. Therefore, God beckons us to draw near to His throne in confidence to find mercy and grace that only He can give.
Hebrews 4:16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
God does not see need like we do. He knows our true need and He Himself is our solution. When we see the Grace of God in Christ and how we can approach our God as needy people, it helps us to have more compassion and love for the ‘neediness’ of others.
Bottom line – When it comes to our human sin and frailty, we are all high maintenance princesses before the Lord. Isn’t it good to know that this is exactly who God calls to approach Him? God actually desires the needy to come to Him.