The "Have's" and "Have Not's"

Last evening I was in the emergency room with a friend. As we patiently waited for the doctors to perform the necessary tests, we watched from our door the number of trauma patients coming through the ER. I have to say it was overwhelming to watch the doctors and nurses racing from room to room, administering to the needs of those holding on to life. While we waited, my friend began a list of things she didn’t have. She told me she never had a boyfriend who loved her, she never had a husband and she never had children. She claimed her illness prevented her from having these things. I listened intently as she went down her list of “have not’s.”
After she was done, I felt this immense guilt because all of the things she didn’t have, I had received at some point in my life. Yet, so many of my years were wasted on a sense of entitlement for “things” I felt I deserved. I never saw them as purely gifts from God. And although today I’m grateful for all He has given, what I’ve discovered is, the “things” I have cannot provide what I really need.
God spoke softly and reminded me of why He brought this friend into my life. I had prayed for God to remove all things that would hinder me from fulfilling His purpose. I also prayed for people to come into my life who reflect His Spirit and light. I told my friend that although I had received many of the things she hadn’t, what she had was far greater than anything this world has to offer. She has the gift of the Holy Spirit which resides in her. She is a reflection of the love of Christ that I strive to obtain in my life. She opened my eyes and revealed the shallowness of my faith. Although faith isn’t something tangible, its value outweighs anything that I have.
God blesses every Christian who strives to walk in His Ways and He freely gives His Holy Spirit to provide everything we need. When we receive the Spirit of Truth, it becomes clear that what we have doesn’t measure up to the gift of salvation which only comes through Jesus Christ.
What my friend has is all that we need. The Holy Spirit is so prevalent in her life, even the nurses were amazed. They would rush into her room, frazzled from the previous patient. But when they left, the nurses had a sense of peace and a shield of strength to face the next trauma around the corner. It was simply wonderful to experience.
May those of us who think we are the “haves” of this world need to look at our own lives through the eyes of Christ. When we do this, it becomes clear that what we have and what we need are often two different things. Today, may we seek God and His Holy Spirit in everything so that we too can have all that God desires for our lives.

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. The Lord is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one. Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their Sheppard and carry them forever.”
Psalm 28:8-9