Paul & The Rolling Stones

Would you believe me if I said that the Lord spoke a great word to my heart in the middle of a Rolling Stones song?

Believe it.

As odd as it may be- the Lord was clear and strong in teaching me a lesson in the midst of an ab workout song last Thursday in Zumba.

Picture this with me- I am in Zumba…Not really thinking.
Laughing a lot- doing some salsa- and at this current time I was on a mat singing along to a Rolling Stones classic and doing some ab ripper…

Sing it with me…

“You. Cant. Always. Get. What. You. Want.
You. Cant. Always. Get. What. You. Want.

You. Get. What. You. Need.”

I have heard this song many times before and atleast twice a week for the past few weeks and thought nothing of it---
But this particular day I stopped in my tracks and let those words that were so clear and loud (literally) sink in.

I have many wants.
My prayers are overflowing with them.

I want my wants to become haves.

The Lord has been working with me lately on contentment.

Teaching me that my wants will often not be held in my possession-
But that my needs will without fail be supplied.

I will not, by God’s perfect all-knowing design, always get what I want.
But I will, because of God’s grace and mercy towards this sinner, have all that I need.

God’s word says in the Psalms chapter 84, verse 11:

“For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor.
No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.”

I so often confuse my wants and my needs.
I have caught myself lately using the words interchangeably.

Examples:

I need a new couch. (aka: I do not like the pattern of my current fully working couch- so I WANT a new one)
I need to go to the doctor. ( I am sick. This is a NEED.)

Who knows our needs better than our Abba Father?

The Lord is teaching me to trust Him. His plans.

There is no better example of a life of contentment in Christ than Paul.

I can only imagine that many of the situations that Paul found himself in were not on his “want” or “wish” list-
But He trusted Christ. To guide Him, protect Him and to provide for Him.

Listen to Paul’s words:

“But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ” (Phil. 3:7)

“For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ” (Phil. 3: 8b)

“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned that in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me”
(Phil 4:11-13)

My friends- I was so humbled and put on the floor when I considered the things that Paul counted as rubbish compared to my own life.

To be transparent- Some of my “wants” that I may have to give up are:

1.My Dream House
2.Annual Beach Trips
3.Every New Gap Sweater

Rubbish.
Absolute Rubbish.

Compared to knowing Christ and the gain that will come from following Him fully-
These wants are worth leaving behind. Giving up.

I cannot always get what I want (see list above) but I will always have exactly what I need.

Oh Father- Help my heart understand fully understand the difference between WANTS and NEEDS.

May my dreams be gospel-centered and my goals founded on your word!

May I- like Paul- be prepared to count ALL losses as rubbish for the sake of Christ.

For my last thought of this long rant-
I have also this week been convicted of not being aware of the NEEDS of people around me.

Whether it is my husband, family or a TJMAXX employee-
I am certain that focusing on MY WANTS stops me from being sensitive to the NEEDS OF OTHERS.

Examine your wants.
Acknowledge your needs.
Submit your way the Lord.


“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.”
Proverbs 19:21