Need first by Deon Crafford

Haggai 1:9 You looked for much, and behold, it came to little. And when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why? declares the Lord of hosts. Because of my house that lies in ruins, while each of you busies himself with his own house.

One of the most well known theories about human behaviour is that of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. In short it says that our primary need is physiological, then safety, then belonging, then recognition, then self-actualization or fulfillment. Too many people I know get stuck at belonging or recognition and seem to forever long for fulfillment. In recent times two tongue in cheek inclusions before physiological needs, have been identified as Battery Life and Wi-Fi connectivity. According to this hierarchy, the next level need does not materialise before the former is met or satisfied.

For the believer there should be an absolute foundational need that is God. It effectively means that not even my hunger or thirst (physiological) matters if I am not fully engaged and present with God. We have seen so many times in life’s worst challenges, how, when we run to God in deep angst, nothing else really matters. This is why we fast as well, to affirm that we will first satisfy the relationship need with God, even before we nourish ourselves. It is something we have to forcibly do, because our human nature and struggles to deal with life, constantly make us build our house, while God’s house (His position in our lives) lies in ruins. Sometimes I believe God needs to remind us that He is our primary need, and we all know when that happens because the Holy Spirit clears the mist from our eyes and we see clearly.

As we focus on renewal in our lives, it is good to take a long hard look at what level of need we’re stuck on. Chances are most if us get stuck at belonging or recognition. But here’s my realisation; once we have filled our relationship need with God, all the other needs become secondary, but also they are met in abundance. Fulfillment then comes from confidently living a life anchored in the person of Jesus Christ. First God, then all else.

Love to all
DC