The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need (Psalm 23:1).

Reminds me of “The Blessedness of Possessing Nothing”, that exquisite chapter by A.W. Tozer from his great work The Pursuit of God. What about the blessedness of needing nothing from anybody because we already have it and have grasped it in You? Recognition of what already is.

Then our capacity is off the charts–like the “Saints of Old.”  We are filled with love for those who are “ugly” and can do nothing for us. Even those who hurt us. Because of our love bond with You. And what of those who can do something for us (and for themselves) but don’t? Keep loving them from our overflow of You. What else is there? Pray for them.

At some point we pursue You far enough to realize that the problem is hardly ever someone else, but me. As humbling as this is, it’s equally comforting because it is incredibly empowering. The more I fill with You, the less I need from others to feel good about myself. Then we see others more accurately because we have recognized our own brokeness. We see for the other person that it’s not so much about me as that he or she is unfulfilled on some level and feels they need “X” from me to be happy. Then I can point them more to You now that I am not paralyzed by letting him or her down, and therefore able to see them clearly. I have found that I could never gratify them to the level that their deep longings for You require.

We must guard against becoming aloof and apathetic towards others’ needs, but if we’re truly filling with You in all sincerity of heart, I don’t see how that’s possible. For You give us eyes for others’ needs.

You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You because he trusts in You.
Isaiah 26:3

In the Name of Jesus, 
Soli Deo Gloria