7-16-2023 3:07am

Strong spirits: what do you really need?

Photo: Postmates

What can you not live without? We all have our lists of what we desire or long for or enjoy. We think we need many things to live but the list is really very short.

We need water. Yet Jesus said " the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." (John 4:14)

We need food. Yet Jesus said, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work." (John 4:34)

We need rest. Yet Jesus "got up very early in the morning, while it was still dark, left the house and went out to a solitary place, where he prayed." (Mark 1:35)

We need breath. Yet Jesus "breathed on them (his disciples) and said 'Receive the Holy Spirit' (John 20:22)

Yes, we do need water and food and rest and air. But even these fundamental necessities take a back seat to what Jesus says we need most of all: Himself, and all that he brings to us, for apart from him, we are dead!

What can you not live without?

Besides serving as pastor at Caledonia Congregational Church, Gary Schwerin is the Spiritual Development Minister for the YMCA of the Rock River Valley and Executive Director of Bridge Ministries of Rockford. Prior to launching Bridge Ministries, Gary spent many years in leadership with Young Life. His columns appear here every Sunday - to see them all, subscribe to our daily email.