I struggle with self confidence. It’s true and I’m OK with letting you know. Transparency is a active part of my life; just ask anyone who works with me on a regular basis.

Many of the people in our organization have taken the Strengths Finder Assessment from Gallup. One of my Top 5 strengths is the fact that I am an Achiever. Basically, that means that I am driven and have a constant need for achievement. Every day starts at zero and I must achieve something by the end of the day in order to feel good about myself. It’s like a daily bank account where my balance make all the difference in how I feel about myself. Honestly, it’s exhausting.

Unfortunately, I don’t end each day with a large balance and that leads me to wonder why God even needs me. Do you ever feel that way? I’ve got good news! God doesn’t need you, He wants you.

“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.” Acts 17:24-25

Julie and I have two children, Haley, 14, and Carson, who is 12. Carson, like most boys his age, is into anything that involves a ball and he is always on the go.

In his busyness running from one end of the neighborhood to the next to play with his neighborhood friends, I’ll see him and stop him in his tracks and say, “Hey buddy, want to play catch?” After looking at me like I am speaking German, he says, “Sure if you want to”. Want to? It would be the highlight of my day — lets do it! He’s amazed that his Dad wants to hang out with him and wants to spend time with him. Often times, I’m that way with God, “Sure God, I’ll spend time with you if you want to” when God’s invitation is to know him in a deep and personal way.

This is the God who created Pluto and Saturn and Jupiter and the Sun. Light and darkness. God made the swift cheetah and the delicate butterfly. God made the evaporation system. God made the industrious beaver and mosquitos! God made the food chain. God made the gorgeous diamonds and rubies. God made you and God made me.

God wouldn’t even ask me for a sandwich if He were hungry. He does not need me for the most minute thing. God does not need me–YET He stretches out His beautiful hand to me through His only begotten Son sacrificed for me and you.

“What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet: all flocks and herds, and the animals of the wild, the birds in the sky, and the fish in the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas. Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” Psalm 8:4

So, in-spite of the fact that He is everything and I am nothing, He desires relationship with me. Little ‘ole me. When I have that perspective, I am not worried about achievements or bank accounts, I am just honored to be a part of what God wants me to be a part of.

I hope you find encouragement today, that while God does not need you, He wants you. God wants a relationship with you, an active, vibrant relationship.

Now, how does that make you feel?

 

[Photo: Flickr]