11-04-2023 7:22pm

Strong spirits: what's your biggest need?

Photo: Makara Ouch

Think for a minute... What is the biggest need or problem that you face today? Whatever it is, God can help you with it, and you may discover that it wasn't your biggest need after all...

One day Jesus and his disciples were walking along and came upon a man born blind, begging by the side of the road. It would seem pretty obvious what his greatest need was. Turns out it wasn't. (Read the story in John chapter 9)

Jesus heals the man, but rather than rejoicing, the religious authorities got upset first with Jesus, and then with the man. With Jesus because he healed on the Sabbath (a no-no) and with the man because he stood up for Jesus, insisting he must be from God. That got the man booted out of the Temple for life.

But Jesus found the man again, explaining who he was. And the man worshipped him as the son of God. And so he began a life with God. What seemed his biggest need wasn't... he needed a life with God and found it in Jesus.

The biggest need we all have is God. He created us that way. He can and certainly will help with all the other needs and problems we have. But most of all, he wants you... just the way you are.

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.

Most Sunday mornings just before 11 a.m., you can watch Gary live on Zoom. Contact him for a link.