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“God built a needs-meeting system into the universe as a critical aspect of how it runs.”

A thought by John Townsend from his book, People Fuel (p. 17). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

And He knows what we really need.

John says, “What is a need? It is the requirement of a person or a machine or an organization for something essential. If the need is unmet, we experience trouble or damage. Without oxygen, we asphyxiate. Without food, we starve. And without shelter, we freeze or burn. People with strong constitutions can last without these for longer periods than others, but ultimately the need wins out and must be met.”

He goes on, “The more we enter the world of need, whether functional or relational, the better life works.

“The Bible is full of examples of how God interacts with us in the area of needs.

•​ At the creation, he provided food for people and animals (Gen. 1:29).
• ​He gave the people of Israel manna to sustain them on their journey through the wilderness (Ex. 16:31).
•​ Jesus said that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled (Matt. 5:6).
•​ Jesus fed the five thousand (John 6:1–12).
•​ Paul wrote that God will meet all our needs in Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:19).
•​ We are to receive mercy and grace in our time of need (Heb. 4:16).
• ​If we don’t ask God for what we need, we won’t have it (James 4:2).”

John continues, “I believe that the purpose behind this needs-meeting system is simple: God designed needs in order to foster relationship. When there is a lack on this side of the room and a provider for that lack on the other side, the two connect. They are now related. And that is a good thing. The one who lacks is made whole. The one who provides feels useful. And the two feel connected.

“God didn’t have to do it this way. He doesn’t need the universe or us. He is self-sufficient. He desires and loves us, but we are not essential to him. He could have made it so that we were also self-sustaining little systems, spinning around in our lives without having to reach out for sustenance, support, resources, or love. But he didn’t. He intertwined needs into the way things go.”

And we are so glad that He did, aren’t we? 

Yes, yes!
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