Both the “can” and the “will” are important. Even when we need to find someone to work on our car or do a repair in our home, the same two qualities are important. Finding someone who really knows how to identify and fix the problem and and also cares enough to do it right is often not easy.
But when it comes to entrusting your own deep-level needs to someone, it doesn’t take many tries to recognize that nobody is that adequate or that willing.
And then there’s the part about “belonging.” Somehow we’re wired not just to need our list of needs met but to belong to someone – and for that someone to belong to us.
Maybe that’s why most people can connect with the words of the 23rd Psalm:
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
It’s very total. David said in effect, “I belong to Him. He takes responsibility for my protection and my needs. I won’t come up short.”
There was a woman who had had a disease that no doctor could cure. She approached Jesus as He passed in a thronging crowd. She thought to herself, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.” She did touch His garment and she was made well. Jesus turned to her and said, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.” Jesus called her “Daughter.” He embraced her as His own (Mark 5:25-34).
All of us arrived here by a physical birth. What happened after that was for some people a mostly good story. For others it has seemed like a mostly negative experience. But both groups recognize that we need to go higher. Jesus told a religious man, “You must be born again.” Being religious isn’t enough. When we believe in Jesus as Savior, we are given a new life (John 3:1-7).
Paul described the new relationship as being adopted by God: …you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15-17).
By faith, we are adopted as sons and daughters of God. Then we can rightly call Him, “Father.” He is a good Father.
Belonging has to be forever if it’s going to satisfy. And only this Father knows about, is able to handle, and loves us enough to provide for the other needs that we face.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.