Want vs. Need

Posted on August 29, 2018 by America's Keswick in Freedom Fighters

And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?” — Mark 10:36

“You can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometimes you find that you get what you need” is what the Rolling Stones sang. I don’t believe this to be true, why don’t we want what we need? If we are in tune with the Spirit of God we find that the thing we need is exactly what we want. “Want vs Need” is the battle ground between flesh vs Spirit, sometimes the things we think we want is the worst thing for us. I remember someone telling me “Be careful what you ask for, you might just get it.”

I’m still amazed at the wisdom of Jesus, when I read the accounts in the Gospels I find myself chuckling at the way He creates clarity from confusion, proclaims fact from dysfunction and reveals our motives through our motif.

In Mark 10, Jesus sheds light on the importance of what is truly needed opposed to what we think we want. Verse 36 sees James and John asking for a prominent seat on either side of Jesus, in which Jesus replies “You do not know what you ask.” Even our best intentions, when not filtered through the intent of the Gospel, can be the last thing we need. The problem I have with knowing the difference between what I want and what I need is usually a focus as to make me more comfortable. Comfort and contentment can be two completely different things. When I think back at some of the things I thought I wanted, I’m grateful that God saw fit to keep me from them.

In the context of chapter 10 I see a progression as Jesus explains the basics of Gospel living. He dispels the Pharisees’ motif about divorce and exposes their motive. He reveals the dysfunction of a rich man and clarifies the facts of what’s needed, He than uncovers the confusion of stature of living saying, “Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” As a child we know that it’s okay to ask for what we want, but also to be okay with getting what’s good for us, which is what we need.

It’s not until we get to the end of the chapter that we see someone giving the right answer to the question, Blind Bartimaeus, “And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus. So Jesus answered and said to him, ‘What do you want Me to do for you?’ The blind man said to Him, ‘Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.’”

Although Bartimaeus wanted physical sight, the idea of receiving sight is a picture of seeing what God wants us to see. To be able to grasp the idea of, “But many who are first will be last, and the last first”.

If we can begin to realize that what we need should be what we want I think we’ll begin to experience the liberty and freedom from anxiety, discontentment and depression that can hinder our walk. So, “if you try sometimes, you find, you get what you need.” Amen!

Written by Rob Russomano: Rob Russomano is married to Terri, and serves with her as full time staff members. He is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and is also available as a speaker of the grace of God with a message of Hope for church events. You can contact him at rrussomano@americaskeswick.org.

The Daily Bible Reading: Ezekiel 9-12| You can download our 2018 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: I thank God for protecting me from what I thought I wanted and blessing me with what I didn’t know I needed. — Author Unknown

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:So shall the knowledge of wisdom be to your soul; If you have found it, there is a prospect, And your hope will not be cut off. 
Proverbs 24:14