I was laying on the rug this morning watching my human sip his coffee and stare off at nothing in particular. The kind of stare that says his heart’s chewing on something heavy.
Now I don’t know a whole lot about theology—I’m just an old dog—but I do know a thing or two about being wanted.
See, my human doesn’t need me.
He’s got hands that can open his own doors.
Feet that can walk without me leading.
Friends that can talk back better than I can.
He doesn’t need me to greet him at the door… but oh, how he smiles when I do.
He doesn’t need me to sit beside him… but he pats the couch anyway.
He doesn’t need to love me… but he does.
And that’s when it hit me—somewhere between a yawn and a tail thump.
That’s how it is with God.
My human was whispering it under his breath like he was just now understanding it:
God doesn’t need us.
Not our strength.
Not our plans.
Not our help holding the world together.
But He wants us.
Now that’ll make an old dog lift his head.
Because needing something… that’s obligation.
But wanting something… well, that’s love.
Nobody needs to scratch behind my ears—but when they do, it means something.
Nobody needs to call my name—but when they do, I come running every time.
And the Good Lord?
He calls us.
Not because He’s lacking…
But because He’s loving.
Scripture says it plain and simple:
“The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” — Zephaniah 3:17
Rejoice over me?
Sing over me?
Now I’ve heard my human sing… and bless his heart, it ain’t always pretty—but it’s always full of love. And if God sings over His people, you can bet it’s the kind of song that makes heaven hush and listen.
So maybe today, if your heart feels a little heavy… like you’ve got to earn your place… prove your worth… or be “useful enough” for God to keep you around…
Just remember these thoughts from this old dog lying on the rug:
You don’t have to be needed to be loved.
God wants you.
He chooses you.
He delights in you.
And that… that’s everything.
God does not need you.
He wants you.
He does not need to use you, love you, or bless you.
He wants to.
That little distinction is freeing… it matters… it’s everything.
He wants you
Now if you’ll excuse me, I think I hear my human calling my name.
And I’m gonna go—tail wagging—because being wanted is more than enough.
Keep the Faith… Carpe Diem
