Lent JourneySample

DAY 28
True need

I have so many needs and so much more than mere physical thirst. My needs are also emotional, intellectual, social and spiritual. But I do not always recognise what my real needs are.

I think of the woman at the well who was also thirsty. She came to talk to Jesus while He was resting. When she said she was thirsty and asked Him to give her water, He made her aware of something else that she actually needed (John 4:10). In those moments He opened up her life and discussed her spiritual thirst. It is as if her physical thirst relates to her spiritual thirst.

It is easy to become aware of my physical needs. It is more difficult to connect with my emotional needs.

And when psychologists like Paul Meier in Love Hunger write about this, I become aware of a big truth in my life – I don’t always realise that my physical needs are actually my emotional needs crying out. Those times when I over-indulge in food, sex or whichever addiction, my needs are more than physical, they are emotionally loaded.
Deep within me there is longing for so much more – a life partner, love, forgiveness.

Lovingly Jesus points out to the woman that by having one relationship after the other, she is actually trying to fulfill a different need, one that she is not aware of. He helps her to recognise her true need.

And now, here on the cross, Jesus says: ‘I am thirsty!’ He knows his real need and He can express it.

Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Albert Einstein

EXERCISE
When you pray today:
• Ask the Lord to show you your true need.
• How can your physical needs, especially the ones that you over-indulge in, help you to discover your deeper needs?
• It might help you to discuss this with someone.
• Share your life with God.