What did you want to be when you grew up? As a young girl, my aspirations included everything from mommy of thirteen children, to doctor, to accountant, to musician, to counselor. Though my dreams for the future were certainly varied, there was one thing I never aspired to become: a woman who was needy!

I wanted to be strong, self-sufficient, and independent. I actually thought that was the goal of life . . . even the Christian life. I had no idea that an independent, self-sufficient spirit is actually characteristic of a proud heart. I didn’t know that by refusing to humbly admit my need, I was actually rejecting the grace God so desired to pour into my life:

“God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6).

Grace was just a vague theological term in my mind. Though I’d grown up in church and had become a Christ-follower at fifteen, it wasn’t until our family attended a Life Action Family Camp that I finally began to grasp the importance of grace. The speaker defined grace in this way:

“Grace is the dynamic quality of the life of God within me that gives me the desire and power to live in harmony with God’s Word.”

I realized that night just how needy I really was, even as a follower of Christ. I needed His grace to:

• Live a life marked by unconditional love for others
• Experience joy and peace regardless of the circumstances around me
• Be so self-controlled in my emotions, thoughts, and reactions that it didn’t matter what time of the month it was, or the challenges of my current season of life, or even how those around me behaved.

On our own we have neither the power nor the desire to live a life that’s pleasing to our Heavenly Father. That’s why we need grace! Thankfully, God’s grace is like an ambulance that races to the point of our need the minute a call for help is made. But if we don’t call, the ambulance doesn’t come. If we refuse to admit our desperate neediness, we forfeit the grace that could have been ours.

Oh, how I long for the fullness of His grace in my life, don’t you? Would you join me today in admitting how desperately needy we are? As you cry out to God for help in your place of need, listen for the sirens . . . the grace ambulance is on the way!