Spiritual Needs

“We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord.” (Romans 15:2 NLT)

What do we seek from the Lord?

Many of us begin with prayer for our immediate physical comfort. Then, we move on to emotional and spiritual needs: healing, forgiveness, love, acceptance, clarity, strength, wisdom, guidance, meaning, and purpose. Those of us who have reserves of faith are called to share with those who are running dry.

One of my neighbors delivers and stocks frozen pizza at local stores. He parks his delivery truck in his driveway overnight. I can hear his large truck rumbling down the road in the early morning hours as he goes to the warehouse to pick up his daily load. He spends the rest of the day stocking the freezers of all the local stores with pizza so that customers have access to them.

Similarly, many of us are called to be the middle person who builds up others in Christ. We wake up in the early morning hours and wait upon the Lord. We submit our requests, concerns, fears, weaknesses, confusion, and questions. The Spirit of God pours into us gently and slowly. Once we are filled, we go out into the day. We distribute what we have been granted. We make God’s gifts accessible. We stock up and serve the spiritual needs of those around us.

“In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3 NIV)