“But he lacks nothing who possesses God; for God alone suffices!”
Teresa of Avila
The other day I was reading the twenty-third Psalm when the words in verse one, “I lack nothing,” jumped out at me and stopped me dead in my tracks. I began to thank my Father that in the midst of my weakness, He reminded me that there’s nothing I don’t possess to help me be who He’s created me to be because of His provision. When I lack the courage to be a woman of integrity, to be honest in speaking hard truths in love, He provides me with His courage. Instead of succumbing to the temptation to self-protect so I don’t experience rejection or abandonment, He can make me brave, to say what He desires me to say.
The words, “I lack nothing” means I have absolutely everything I need to do what God asks me to accomplish. 2 Peter chapter one, verse three says, “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” James 1:4 encourages us, “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
Last Spring during worship at church, the Spirit whispered, “I’m going to stretch your stature.” At that moment, the pew in front of us was empty and a few minutes after He spoke, a really TALL couple came and stood in front of us. God has a sense of humor, and this was His way of making a point, giving me a visual. He encouraged me to stay open to the new things He wanted to show me and to come up higher so I could see things differently as if I had a taller perspective. He reminded me how different something looks from the viewpoint of a mountain versus that of a valley. When you’re my age, your stature begins to shrink, not stretch, but I’m trusting that He can make my spiritual stature lengthen because I lack nothing.
Several weeks ago, I heard, “When you have nothing to lose, you have everything to gain.” It’s in our emptiness that He fills us to overflowing. Even when we’re at our weakest moment when we have nothing within us to pour back out, we lack nothing, because that’s when our heavenly Father takes over. Where in your life today do you have nothing to lose? Embrace your vulnerability, discover the Father’s faithfulness, and see how you lack nothing.
“But those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.”
Psalm 34:10b
Relevant Reflection:
In what aspect of your life are you tempted to be discouraged and need the Father’s encouragement that you lack nothing and that He will provide you with everything you need?