What They Need When They Need It
This morning I was watching the coverage of the funeral for the policeman who was recently shot and killed in California. At the end of the service, there was a presentation of an American flag to the victim’s widow. Standing next to her was the victim’s brother. In a moment that was so heart wrenching, I watched the serviceman do the very thing I thought was most needed in that instant. After presenting the flag he gave the young widow a modest but meaningful hug. Then he gave the brother a hug. I wanted to hug them too, and I have never even met them!
Witnessing these thoughtful expressions reminded me that sometimes people just need a hug. But even more importantly, all people specifically need what they need when they need it. One of the most significant things we can come to in life is a healthy and educated awareness of other people. Paul wrote in Phil. 2:4 – “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” If we can follow this rule given to us by the Spirit we will be blessed with the opportunity to influence the lives of God’s highest creation in a positive way.
Notice that awareness is more than seeing a need. Awareness is timing. It is knowing exactly what people need in the moment. When someone is grieving, there are a lot of things that could possibly help, but probably very few things that actually will. When someone is down on their luck, there are a lot of things that could possibly help, but probably very few things that actually will. When someone is alone or depressed or faithless, there a lot of things that could possibly help, but probably few things that actually will. There is a real key to knowing not just what people need but also knowing when they need it. Once we have figured that out the next things to do is to supply it.
Among the many things I have discovered from several years in which I have focused on developing a personal relationship with Jesus, is that he was a master of knowing exactly what people needed. In addition, he knew how and when to give it to them. He sometimes even knew what they needed more than they knew it themselves. This was partly because as John wrote, “…He knew all men, and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man” (John 2:24-25). Coupled with this is the fact that it was the Godhead who created man and therefore it was Jesus who understood humanity. The Hebrew writer also explained that Christ’s earthly time made it possible for him to help earth’s inhabitants, “For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted” (Heb. 2:18).
I am eternally grateful to God for having such divine foreknowledge and such matchless love that he allowed a part of Himself to leave heaven and come to earth and take on flesh to deliver us in our desperate time of need. I remember once hearing this quotation explaining that in Christ God sent the human race exactly what they needed: “If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent an educator. If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist. If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist. But since our greatest need was forgiveness, God sent us a Savior.”
I can’t help but think that located somewhere in who Christ Jesus was and why he came and what he did lies the key to me understanding what people need the most from me. The more I get to know Jesus, the better equipped I will be to help the people he came to redeem.
“Love is doing the most for what they need the most, and that is Jesus” – Todd Walker (1962-2015)
To Receive Every Article from A Legacy of Faith through Email for Free, Click Here
AUTHOR: Jeremiah Tatum
