Devotion
4-22-10
Know the Difference
One brisk fall afternoon, in a small town deep in the country, a little boy was walking in the woods with his daddy, talking about all the wonderful things they would like to do together during summer break.
As they walked passed the neighbor’s property, his son saw a great big pool in the yard and said, “That’s it dad, we need a big swinging pool. Than we can swim all summer long.” Walking on, the boy noticed a dirt hill road and said, “Dad, look at that, we need a four-wheeler to ride up and down that hill this summer; wouldn’t that be awesome?” Dad didn’t reply, he just continued to listen as they kept walking. Soon they came to an open field and the boy’s eyes became wide with excitement. “Dad, look over there, oh wow it is perfect, just what we need.” Dad saw nothing but an open field and had no idea what his son was talking about when suddenly the boy ran as fast as he could ahead of him. “Wait Johnny, slow down, what is it you see that you think we need?” his father asked. “Its right here dad, don’t you see it? It is a perfect spot to build us a soccer field. Oh dad we really need a soccer field. I could have all my friends over and we could play games and even have tournaments. See dad, don’t you see it? We need a soccer field. It would be the perfect way to spend our summer.” As the little boy shared his ideas something occurred to his father, his son had repeated a word in everything he talked about, it was a word that he realized his son did not understand and now it was time to teach him.
“Johnny, do you see this great big open field we are standing on?” “Of course I do dad. What about it?” “Well son I want to show you something about this field, come with me.” Johnny followed his dad as he walked to the other side of the field, then suddenly his dad turned around and walked back the other way. “Where are we going dad? Why did we turn around?” “Just follow me son, don’t ask questions, just follow me and go wherever I go.” So off they went back and forth from one side to the other. Over and over again they walked, then jogged, ran, walked, jogged, ran again, and so on. The boy was getting tired and he began to fuss at his dad. “Dad, what are we doing? You aren’t showing me anything. We are just walking and running on this field. Are you trying to see if the ground is good enough to play soccer on?” “No!” the father replied. “Just keep following me.”
Even though is was a brisk fall day, the sun was still shinning and the boy and his dad were getting sweaty and tired. As dad turned to see if his son was still following him, he noticed his son licking his lips. He was getting thirsty now and his steps were really slowing down. Then the words he wanted to hear came from his son’s dry and thirsty lips, “Daddy I am so thirsty, can we please stop walking this field? I really need a drink.” With his son’s question the dad turned and walked to him, put his arms around him and said, “Yes son, let’s go get a drink.” He put his son on his back and took him to the house. Inside, they each got a tall class of cold water. The boy drank as if he hadn’t had a drink in days. “Come on son, I want to tell you about that field now. Do you want to know why we walk and ran it so many times?” he asked. “I sure do, I am so tired of being on that field that I don’t think we need a soccer field. You might make me play all the time and I would get tired of it.” Dad smiled as he placed his son on his lap and began to explain.
“Son, as we were walking in the woods you told me we needed a swimming pool, and we needed and four-wheeler. Do you remember?” “Yes, I think we really do dad.” “Well son, what I want you to understand is that there are some things we need and some things we just want. Do you know the difference?” “Aren’t they the same?” Johnny asked. “No, my son, they are not. Let me explain. When you saw the big field you said that we needed a soccer field and so I took you out on the field to walk and run on it. After a while you began to get tired and thirsty and you said to me, “Dad I need a drink.” Your little body was tired and needed water so your lips got dry and you knew you needed to put water in it, right?” “That’s right, I was so thirsty.” “Ok, that is a need. You needed water to cool down your body. You wanted the water but because you needed it. The swimming pool, four-wheeler and soccer field are not needs, they are wants. Do you understand now?” “Oh I get it dad, I had to have water because my body needs it to stay alive. But I don’t need a soccer field to stay alive. Is that right dad?” “Yes son, that is right. I just want you to think about what you need and what you want for now on. When you come to me and want something, tell me you want it not need it. Ok?”
“Ok dad, I will. But how do I know the difference?” the boy asked. “Just ask me son, I will tell you.”
This story is much like our lives with God. One of the mistakes we make when praying is in not knowing the difference between a need and a want. Matthew 6:8 says, “Therefore do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need, before you ask Him.” If you do not know the difference between a want and a need, than how will you ever see the fulfillment of His answer? God wants to prove to you that He will provide your needs, but you must understand your needs to see His provision. For example; you may be really frustrated with things at work and you think you need to go out and have a good time on the town to relax and get away from your problems. However, is that a need or a want? The Lord knows what you really need to be still with Him and allow Him to give you peace from the frustration, but you don’t see how sitting around reading your Bible or praying is really going to make you feel better.
Think about the story. When the boy got really thirsty it was then that he realized his body needed water. When we get frustrated enough and nothing else can seem to make us feel better, it too may be the time we realize we need the Living Water, Jesus to refresh us. We need Jesus; we don’t need a night on the town. See the difference?
Now, take time and be honest with God and yourself. What are your true needs in life? Make a list of them and ask the Lord to reveal your needs. The Father knows what you need before you ask. Trust Him to help you know the difference so you can pray honestly, and then you will see His answers as He provides your needs.
Needs Wants
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