Relational VampiresSample

Needy Relationships

Remember how this Bible Plan started? We talked about how relationships are the recipients and the ingredients of some of God’s most amazing work. So what’s wrong in the recipe when needy relationships happen?

When David wrote Psalm 70:5 (quoting from the NIV here), he gave us a clue:

But as for me, I am poor and needy; come quickly to me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer; Lord, do not delay. 

The problem with needy human relationships is that there is only one Deliverer, and He is not you. When relationships require us to act like a savior, then we’re taking a space only Jesus can fill. 

Even Jesus didn’t meet every need while He was here on Earth. Scripture records a few times when He was needed, yet He’d gone away to pray or rest. 

Let’s look at our relationships again. Who’s acting as Deliverer and Savior? Is it God and Jesus? Is it you? Is it your spouse, a friend, a pastor? 

Here’s the thing—God does use trusting relationships to meet needs and bring restoration. In fact, they’re probably the main way He heals the world. We just have to remember it’s God who’s doing the restoring, and He’s restoring both halves of the relationship. At Life.Church, we have a similar mission principle that’s really easy to remember: We’re all broken in some way.

Whether we lack material resources, meaningful relationships, purpose, or hope in Christ, we all experience neediness. As we reach out to others hoping to mend brokenness, we know we bring our own brokenness into the mix. While we may be one ingredient of someone’s restoration, it’s God who holds the full recipe. 

Whether we’re always trying to save or be saved by others, we’re all still needy and broken. What Jesus-sized needs are you trying to fill within others?

Pray: God, You’re my deliverer. Jesus, You’re my savior. Forgive me for trying to save or be saved by anyone less than You. Please show me the ways I’ve tried to get my needs met outside of You. Please fill and heal those broken places. Amen.