Getting what we need. Giving what we want.

     I would like to begin by stating that none of us get what we deserve.  That's true in the negative sense.  I can never pay for my sins.  What I deserve is death.  But you see, the Christian begins their life in this very state.  We are dead because of sin and become live when we become Christian.  It's kind of weird but true none the less.  Here is the kicker though.  We get to have eternal life!  No, not life like it's here on earth.  Heavenly life is so wonderful.  "How does he know!" you might exclaim with some disgust.  Well, it's not because I've been there to visit.  No, it's not because I've seen pictures from someone else's summer vacation.  No, I didn't hear that rumor either. 
     It's because of my believing God, what he says in the Word and then offers us for free. 
     So, let's get this straight.  We are born dead.  We become alive when we accept Jesus as our Savior.  We live out the rest of our days on earth having all of our needs met.  Then we get to go to Heaven to live the life of luxury forever.  Did I miss anything?  No?  Okay, so how many out there believe this? 
     Here is exactly where the problem looms before us.  We can't seem to get it through our minds and hearts that we "need" something AND can only get it for free.  Must be the postage they get us on.  Hmmm...  Nope, what gets us is the "faith" issue.  We would be exercising our faith in God, whom we do not see, Jesus, who we killed, and then the existing belief that Heaven is real and we can have a part of it.  Just like that! 
     Dividing out what is needed versus what is wanted in our life seems to take a different meaning before we are believers than after we become believers.  It's as basic as selfishness and unselfishness on our part.  Here is where it gets slightly crazy.  We have to exercise selfishness to be able to be unselfish.  What?  We have to be selfish and take God's free gift of Jesus.  When we do that we now have the capacity to be unselfish. 
     When we were/are selfish our focus is more self centered.  We tend to look at the world and say, "What does it have for me?"  We only have something temporary when we are selfish.  We bring trouble on ourselves because of that selfishness.  When we are unselfish, we see the world in a much different light.  It's now more reflective of what we need and what others need. 
     While unselfishness is lauded as great to the world around us; we have managed to make selfishness to look like unselfishness.  We seem to think that we can have that which we don't deserve while at the same time having that which we do deserve.  The truth is our understanding that no good thing can come from us.  Anything "good" is from God in Heaven.  What we have to give is so inferior. 
     All of this change begins when we stop, think, and respond.  It may be when you were a child or when you had children.  It may have been when we were finding out who we were and how we are.  Doesn't really matter.  What matters is that when presented with the options of life or death that you and I chose life.  Not our life.  His life for us through Jesus.  We stop because we know something is out of balance or out of control.  We ponder the way our lives are shaped around being out of balance.  Finally, we come to that most dreaded part.  We must make a decision to do something.
     Having the understanding, agreement and even some of the actions doesn't make you or I a believer.  Being a "good" person doesn't either.  In fact, there is nothing you or I can do to earn life.  Nothing.  Diddily squat.  Zip.  Zilch.  Get the point?  Nothing we can think, say or do can make our lives redeemable.  Nothing. 
     What are my needs?  Life.  What are my wants?  Non-existent.  Why?   Because if we are faithful to our relationship with Christ we will have all of our needs met and exceeded.  Any attempt on our part to "pay back" God is futile and frankly, funny.  God wants us blessed and in turn we are to bless others.  When we are changed through belief, our change.  We become more God centered than we are Steve centered.  Reliance on God becomes primary and what we can do is seen as secondary. 
     As for what we need and what we want; God takes care of both if we will just get out of His way and wait.  Take some time to rest, focus and renew that belief that God wants us to be happy and fulfilled.  Perhaps make a list of what we have versus what we are trying to get.  Never misunderstand the fact that God loves us and can do as he claims.  We are not God.