You may have heard me say or write many times how important people's "identity" is to their thoughts, emotions and choices. "Needs" is the other main driver of human existence. While "identity" is often something people attach to define themselves, "needs" are built in to each person from the beginning. For the human, life is all about meeting your needs.
For example, personality is the behavioral tendencies of a person to get their needs met. People seek to satisfy their needs instinctively, without even thinking about them.
"Identity" is often openly discussed. Gender, race, age, status, etc. are familiar ways to identify ourselves. "Needs" are quite hidden from our self awareness.
Similarly, for Christians identity is often openly presented in the Bible as something that is transformed by the Spirit. We are specifically told that "in Christ we are a new creation." Paul admonishes Christians to "walk according to the Spirit", which is a statement about how identity frames our existence. In other words, Christ becomes our life and in that, Christians' emotions, thoughts and choices are by necessity influenced by the Spirit (per Martin Luther). In a single identity unity results among Christians.
But, what about needs? Do Christians have the same needs as everyone else? OR, should Christians deny their needs? OR are Christians' human needs changed by the Spirit? If Christians continue to have needs, how are they satisfied? Is it like this?
IS GOD THE ONE WHO MEETS MY NEEDS?
Maybe, it depends on how you view your "cup"
If our view of needs (our cup) stays the same after becoming a Christian as our view before, then Christianity is about us and not about God. The world has every right to accuse Christians of being self-centered. How Christians understand "needs" is key to how they understand God and testify their faith in Him.
For secular man needs are desires of the soul that must be met by the world (circumstances and situations) for them to be satisfied. Through a process of exchange transactions, people influence or manipulate others to act in ways that meet their needs. Needs satisfaction is about making self OK.
James Dobson, noted Christian psychiatrist, once said, "girls give sex to get love and boys give love to get sex." Motivation on a human plane is fundamentally transactional. Even the most virtuous person is getting their need of acceptance satisfied by meeting the expectations of society or their god. Note, fear is the human emotion that results from a person's recollection that their needs may not be met. Uncertainty rules the human condition and uncertainty is about needs. Uncertainty fosters the need for control. Uncertainty is self centered.
Since Christians are human, they certainly have similar needs of achievement, safety, freedom, comfort, fulfillment, certainty, and acceptance. However, Christians believe that satisfaction of such needs in the world is not what makes the soul well. Trusting this world to meet the needs of our soul is futile. Such needs of the soul transcend our human existence when we recognize our soul is eternal. The Holy Spirit reveals to Christians everything necessary to satisfy deep needs of the soul.
The satisfaction of needs is willfully and generously bestowed on us by God through the Spirit in our intimate relationship with Jesus. Jesus tells us, "do not fear little flock (children of God), your Father has gladly chosen to give you His Kingdom." There is no transaction. There is no uncertainty. There is no fear. There is no need for control.
Needs satisfaction for the Christian is not about self. It does not honor God because of what He does for us. On the other hand, needs satisfaction of the Christian points to the King. Jesus is glorified in His special power and authority as God's Son. We certainly benefit from our relation ship with Jesus, but we are not the point. Needs are satisfied, for sure, but the SATISFIER receives our adoration and worship because of who He is and not what He does for us.
Ultimately, how does needs satisfaction frame the narrative of your life?
Hopefully, it's NOT all about your needs
