What We Have

I was encouraged recently to create a list of things we (I) seek in relationships and accompanying scripture that promises we (I) already have all of those things in the Lord.  It’s kind of a cheesy exercise, but it affirms that our desires for relationship are actually innate—they should not make us feel guilty or needy because they were created in us by God.  The promise, however, is that He is also the one who fulfills all of those needs.

Here is a sampling of the list I created (in the context of “the royal we” so that it doesn’t sound as real and personal as it actually is for me :) )

We want to be deeply known by someone who understands us better than anyone else

• “Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” (Luke 12:7)
• “O Lord, you have searched me and you know me.  You know when I sit and when I rise.  You perceive my thoughts from afar.  You discern my going out and my lying down.  You are familiar with all my ways.” (Psalm 139:2-3)
• "For you created my inmost being, you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” (Psalm 139:13)
• “I have called you by name, you are mine.” (Isaiah 43:1)

We want closeness

• "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)

We want a helper, someone who will encourage us when we aren’t confident

• “The Lord is with me. He is my helper” (Psalm 118:7)
• “Surely God is my help. The Lord is the one who sustains me.” (Psalm 54:4)

We want to feel loved

• “The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17)

We want someone to always be there all the time and never leave us alone

• “The Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)
• “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you” (Isaiah 43:2)