When I Need To Not Be Needed

…‘I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.’ –John 6:35 (memory verse)

I like when people come to me for their needs. I have a certain skill set as an HVAC service technician and find pleasure in using those gifts to bless others. I am a father who’s children have constant needs as well. I also like when they come to me for the things that they desire.

But here is where I separate myself from the purity and beauty of Jesus. As much as I like being needed, I also get very needy. One of my greatest needs is to be alone and not needed. I like being needed, yet I need to not be needed often. This is not a good character quality of mine, and is only known to me by contrasting myself with Jesus’ words in John 3:35.

Jesus is offering himself as the single and eternal bread of life for every person under the heavens. His words imply that he wants every person to come to him, and in no way will cast them out. He loves to be needed, and gives no indication that he ever desires to not be. He is the bread of life. He is the single fountain of life that never grows weary or never gets depleted. I am so thankful that Jesus is not like me. He alone is the place I must run when my cup runs dry. When I crave to not be needed, I must bring my neediness to the One who desires for me to constantly and unceasingly come to him.