2:105 – I Want A New Car, But…

#faithbites #faithjourney car

I dropped my beat up car at the shop to get repairs from the car accident at the end if last month. I was expecting a small rental car, but instead they gave me a brand new Mitsubishi Outlander. This car has all the bells, whistles, and everything in top of it. It is clean, fancy, and awesome. My first thought was I need this car. I’m ready for a new car. But, my car, while approaching 200,000, is a great car. It’s works well, gets me where I need to, and is paid off.

I could pray for a new car, but God would probably tell me nope. God gives us what we need, not necessarily what we want. The thing is, I don’t need a fancy new car. I need a roof over our head, food in our belly, a safe neighborhood, and a loving God. He has given me all of these things.

While I understand it, it doesn’t make not getting that shiny thing easy. But to quote Dave Ramsey “Live like no one else, so you can live like no one else.”

Scripture

• And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus – Philippians 4:19
• Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. – Psalm 37:4

Reflection

You may be looking at the scriptures above and think that they are contradictory to what I was saying about wants and needa. One says every need will be met and the other says all the desires of your heart will be met. So does this mean all my wants and needs will be met?

The answer is yes. Your wants and needs will be met. The hard part is that many of our wants aren’t true wants. They are covering up something in our lives or trying to separate us from those we love. God knows what we really want (his love, his forgiveness, and salvation) and what we need (love, food, shelter, saftey, kinship).

I don’t need a fancy new car or a 60 in 4k TV or tons of other things. I may want them, but is it helping my relationships or separating me? If they will help grow my faith, promote God’s word, and build community, I will have them.

Charge

Do you want something? Are you praying on it? Are you mad that you aren’t getting it? Look at that thing you want. See what it will do for your #faithjourney and your relationships. It could be that it’s not something you need or it could be it’s not the right time. Look hard and the answer will become clear.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, help me understand the difference between wants and needs. Help me to pursue those things that deepen my connection with you and my faith family. Replace our disappointment when we don’t get what we want with the feeling of love and contentment that only you can bring. In your name, Jesus, Amen.