Have you ever walked into the Post Office and seen a picture with this word in big bold letters over a person’s head? Long ago those posters used to say, DEAD or ALIVE right under the word ‘Wanted.’ These people broke the law in a significant way, and they are being sought out to protect the public from their lawless, criminal acts.

Do you know that somewhere in the vastness of the heavens, God the Father has a ‘Wanted” poster of you that is always in His full view? Do you know why? He loves you with an incomprehensible love. He sent His Son to rescue you and me from the penalty of our lawlessness.

Do you have any idea what it means to be wanted by God Himself? I can honestly say that I truly don’t understand it. God needs nothing at all. He has and He is in control of ALL there is around us. But yet, the beauty and truth of this is… still, and even so………He wants us.

As I was reflecting on all of my relationships, I thought about my parents: I needed them; now I want them. For my husband: I wanted him, and now I’ve come to need him as well. With my children, it is different: I wanted them because of a need I had as a woman to nurture. And with my friends, I both want and need them to share the joys and the sorrows of this life. God gave us both a need and a want for all of our relationships. At different times in our lives there may be more of one than the other; but both overlap continuously.

You and I need God. Whether we recognize just how much or not is irrelevant; the truth of the matter remains. We need Him for every breath, every second of every day. Our need for God has no ability to increase; it is at its maximum level. But what can grow is my desire for Him. I can want Him today more than I did yesterday, and even more tomorrow than I do today. That is the evidence of true love and worship, and the prayer of my heart.

For Today: Please take a moment right now and really let this thought sink in: there is Someone who doesn’t need you for anything at all, ever. You can’t do anything to add to His life; or to help Him in any way. He is completely and totally all sufficient without you. But His lack of need doesn’t alter the intensity of His want. Friend, you are wanted not for anything you have to offer or anything you can do. You are wanted simply because Someone named Jesus sees significant value in you. Not only that, this One who wants you wants you DEAD AND ALIVE. He wanted you when you were dead in your sin and trespasses against Him, and He wants you even after He’s done His work in making you brand new and alive in Him.

Can anything compare to being loved like that? Don’t let this enter your eyes without touching your heart. Wanted! …forever by Jesus.